Lopes split Day 2 of opening weekend

Saturday, March 5

Phoenix, Ariz.

9 a.m.

Grand Canyon

Florida State

3/5/2016 11:10:00 AM | Beach Volleyball

By: Lisa Amsler

PHOENIX - The GCU beach volleyball team finished Day 2 of opening weekend 2-1, after back-to-back home matches against No. 5 Florida State and Colorado Mesa.

In front of 280 fans, the GCU beach volleyball team battled it out with the Seminoles to begin the day. The Lopes put up a strong fight, but FSU ultimately took home the win and remained undefeated. The match came down to the third set of the No. 3 pairings to determine the winner of the fifth and final match between the two competitors.

"It was great seeing our girls come out and compete the way they did against a solid No. 5 Florida State team," head coach Kristen Rohr said. "They have big, athletic girls and are well coached so to see us competing at that level is exciting at this point in the season. I want us playing the best in the country because that is what will make us the best we can be."

Despite a disappointing loss in the first match of the day, the Lopes bounced back quickly, sweeping Colorado Mesa 5-0.

"Colorado Mesa has some scrappy teams and I was proud of the girls for coming in and sweeping them and getting our second victory of the season," Rohr commented.

Both opponents' No. 1 pairs brought their A-game, but they were no match for GCU's leaders Mackenzie Phelps and Shannon Dugan. The duo came out on top in all four sets, with scores of 21-17, 21-16 against FSU and 21-9, 21-9 against CMU.

Kami Dickerson and Jordyn Sanchez also won both of their matches, finally securing a win over FSU after dominating a third set and scoring 21-15, 21-13 in their sets against CMU.

GCU prepares for some more tough competition on Sunday as they take on California at 8 a.m. and, for their final match of the weekend, South Carolina at noon.

GCU 2, FSU 3

Mackenzie Phelps/Shannon Dugan (GCU) def. Jace Pardon/Julie Brown (FSU) 21-17, 21-16
Kristina Pellitteri/Victoria Paranagua (FSU) def. Aleksandra Wachowicz/Molly Turner (FSU) 21-17, 21-16
Sierra Sanchez/Vanessa Freire (FSU) def. Brooke Razo/Emilee Erichsen (GCU) 19-21, 21-15, 15-11
Kami Dickerson/Jordyn Sanchez (GCU) def. Katherine Plessy/Hailey Luke (FSU) 21-15, 14-21, 15-8
Kayla Joyce/Annie Montgomery (FSU) def. Chloe Jenkins/Rebecca Conrad (GCU) 21-18, 21-14

GCU 5, CMU 0

Mackenzie Phelps/Shannon Dugan (GCU) def. Erin Perez/Taylor Woods (CMU) 21-9, 21-9
Aleksandra Wachowicz/Molly Turner (GCU) def. Hana Peterman/ Naiome Pinnecuse (CMU) 21-8, 21-14
Brooke Razo/Emilee Erichsen (GCU) def. Kricket Adleman/ Megan Gianinetti (CMU) 22-20, 21-14
Kami Dickerson/Jordyn Sanchez (GCU) def. Ali Svorinic/ Zee Edwards (CMU) 21-15, 21-13
Chloe Jenkins/Rebecca Conrad (GCU) def. Natalee Todd/Rachel Moralez (CMU) 21-14, 21-7