GCU Opens Season 2-0 with Victories Over LSU and TCU

Sunday, March 8

Phoenix, AZ

9:30 a.m.

Grand Canyon

LSU

Molly Turner

Photo by: Darryl Webb

3/8/2015 7:14:00 PM | Beach Volleyball

The Grand Canyon University sand volleyball team (2-0) faced both LSU (2-3) and TCU (0-5) in their first home event of the season out at the GCU Sand Volleyball Courts in Phoenix, Ariz. They snagged a close 3-2 win over LSU to open the day and followed up with a 5-0 sweep over TCU.

"I'm really proud of the effort that the group gave today as a team," said head coach Jose Lugo. "We came out and we battled strong against both teams. Against LSU it wasn't always very pretty, but we were able to pick up the win."

The first win against LSU for the Lopes came from seniors Megan Glennie and Kaitlynn Ausmus, competing at number four. They defeated Emily Ehrle and Carly Morris 21-16, 21-18. Juniors Mackenzie Phelps and Shannon Dugan teamed up to form GCU's number one pair, earning a straight sets victory over LSU's Katie Lindelow and Mandi Orellana 21-12, 21-18.

The final point was earned by Molly Turner and Emilee Erichsen. The teammates finished with a strong 21-12, 21-14 win over Helen Boyle and Laura Whalen to clinch the win for Grand Canyon.

"I was really, really proud of Emilee and Molly who were both freshman and won both matches that clinched the win for us," Lugo explained. "They're young so you know having that experience to compete in front of the fans in their first collegiate matches was going to be a challenge. They did a great job responding to that challenge and took it head on. They had so much fun while they were out there playing and they came out strong against both opponents."

The Antelopes earned the sweep over TCU in straight sets on all five courts.

"We came out against TCU much more comfortable," said Lugo. "Getting those first match jitters out against LSU allowed us to relax and dial in to get everything that we had been working on all of these months. We were able to play in front of the fans in the stands and really take in the experience during the second match."

Grand Canyon will travel next to Chula Vista, Calif., on March 14-15 where they will compete in the USAV Chula Vista Tournament. The tournament will open with team matches on the first day, before the pairs tournament begins. A full recap of the event will be available at www.gculopes.com.

Grand Canyon 3, LSU 2
1. Mackenzie Phelps/Shannon Dugan (GCU) def. Katie Lindelow/Mandi Orellana (LSU) 21-12, 21-18
2. Molly Turner/Emilee Erichsen (GCU) def. Helen Boyle/Laura Whalen (LSU) 21-12, 21-14
3. Cati Leak/Callan Molle (LSU) def. Alex Green/Brooke Razo (GCU) 26-24, 21-18
4. Kaitlynn Ausmus/Megan Glennie (GCU) def. Emily Ehrle/Carly Morris (LSU) 21-16, 21-18
5. Riley Young/Cheyenne Wood (LSU) def. Becca Conrad/Alex Goodman (GCU) 15-21, 21-14, 15-12

Grand Canyon 5, TCU 0
1. Mackenzie Phelps/Shannon Dugan (GCU) def. Natalie Gower/Shane Peters (TCU) 21-14, 21-18
2. Molly Turner/Emilee Ericksen (GCU) def. Ashley Smith/Macy Capen (TCU) 21-13, 21-10
3. Alex Green/Brooke Razo (GCU) def. Alexia Heist/Sutton Sunstrum (TCU) 21-6, 21-15
4. Kaitlynn Ausmus/Megan Glennie (GCU) def. Blaire Pickens/Sarah Grantham (TCU) 21-17, 21-12
5. Becca Conrad/Alex Goodman (GCU) def. Cheyenne Perkins/Chyna Perkins (TCU) 21-7, 21-10