PHOENIX, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona volleyball team capped their non-conference schedule with a dominating 25-16, 25-14, 25-21 sweep of Grand Canyon in their final match of the GCU Invite Saturday night in Antelope Gymnasium. The Lumberjacks will take a 10-3 record into Big Sky play next week following a perfect weekend in the Valley.

"I was impressed with our team's toughness because it's a tough environment here," said head coach Ken Murphy. "GCU played well and we focused on ourselves. I was impressed with our intensity throughout the match tonight. We're getting tougher and more confident in the things that we do and we have a lot to build on from the first four weeks."

Facing an Antelope squad backed by an energetic home crowd, the Lumberjacks came out firing to a 6-1 lead following an ace by senior Jordan Leiter. Grand Canyon hung tough trailing by just three, 12-9, until Leiter stepped to the service line and ripped three straight aces to push NAU's lead to a set-high six points. The 'Jacks controlled the set from there, hitting .429 in the opener with senior Janae Vander Ploeg contributing six kills to the team's total to start.

The Lumberjacks broke open a 2-2 tie with an 8-0 run, featuring a pair of kills from Vander Ploeg and senior Payton Bock, to take the second set by the horns and seize control. A brief four-point spurt by Grand Canyon was swiftly answered by NAU's 5-0 run to allow the 'Jacks to hit the 15-point mark first at 15-6. NAU continued to roll through the second set grabbing a double-digit lead at 21-11 after a service ace by redshirt senior Stacia Williams on its way to a convincing 2-0 lead in the match.

GCU would not go quietly into the night against its in-state rivals and held an 11-9 lead throughout the early part of the third set. The Antelopes stayed in front until junior Jensen Barton dumped a kill in to tie the score at 16-16. Williams converted on another ace to put the Lumberjacks in front for good on the ensuing point, setting the NAU sweep in motion. A block by Barton and redshirt freshman Brittni Dorsey put NAU at match point, 24-19, and after Grand Canyon staved off two points, Vander Ploeg terminated the match with her 20th and final kill.

The Lumberjacks hit .330 in the match with Vander Ploeg hitting .436 and 20 kills to lead the attack. Jacobsen added 10 kills and notched her seventh double-double of the season with 11 digs. Bock chipped in seven kills – without an error – on 14 swings to hit a season-high .500.

For the weekend at the GCU Invite, NAU hit .339 as a team with Barton running the show. For her efforts, she was named the Tournament MVP after notching 36 assists in the finale versus the Antelopes. Vander Ploeg also earned All-Tournament honors after averaging 5.45 kills per set.

Vander Ploeg and Dorsey led the NAU defense with four blocks apiece as Grand Canyon hit .202 Saturday night. Williams posed a match-high 14 digs.

"We've showed a lot of potential in all of our matches and we've beat some tough teams which will be a good confidence booster for us going into conference," Williams said. "This non-conference schedule has showed us what we're capable of doing. We saw where we're weak and now we're able to grow from here."

NAU opens up Big Sky play next week on the road with a pair of road matches. The 'Jacks take on Portland State in their conference opener in Portland, Ore. next Thursday before traveling to play Sacramento State on Saturday.