GCU falls to top-ranked opponents in LSU Beach Invitational

Saturday, April 2

Baton Rouge, La.

9:00 a.m.

Grand Canyon

LSU

GCU falls to top-ranked opponents in LSU Beach Invitational

4/2/2016 8:48:00 PM | Beach Volleyball

By: Lisa Amsler

BATON ROUGE, La. – The Grand Canyon University beach volleyball team battled it out on the courts of Mango's Beach Volleyball Club for the LSU Beach Invitational. The Lopes gave it their all, but ultimately came up short on both matches, falling to 11-3 on the season and bringing their 10-match winning streak to an end.

"As an up-and-coming beach volleyball program, we have gone out of our way to not shy away from tough competition," head coach Kristen Rohr said. "Today we found it in two of the largest universities in the country along with some adverse playing conditions. We lost 4-1 respectively and we feel like we have learned a lot. We hope to lessen the losses today with a solid showing in the pairs event tomorrow."

Match 1
Louisiana State (LSU) took an early 3-0 lead with victories on the first three matches. Emilee Erichsen and Jordyn Sanchez put up a strong fight on Court 5, forcing a three-set match after a 22-20 victory on Set 2. Unfortunately, LSU's Megan Davenport and Cheyenne Wood bounced back and took the point with a 15-13 win on the third and final set. The remainder of the match was finished in straight sets on Courts 1, 2, 3 and 4. Mackenzie Phelps and Shannon Dugan led the Lopes with a 21-19, 21-19 win on Court 1. The match concluded with a final score of 4-1 in favor of LSU.

Match 2
GCU struggled to pick up the pieces from their first loss of the day, and second loss of the entire season, causing Florida State to claim a 4-1 victory. Three of the five pairings, Brooke Razo and Kami Dickerson, Aleksandra Wachowicz and Molly Turner and Mackenzie Phelps and Shannon Dugan, forced three-set matches. Mackenzie Phelps and Shannon Dugan once again led the Lopes with a 21-19, 14-21, 15-12 victory, going 2-0 on the day.

The Lopes wrap up their spot in the LSU Beach Invitational on Sunday, April 3 with a pairs bracket tournament before heading back to the Valley.

GCU 1, LSU 4
1. Mackenzie Phelps/Shannon Dugan (GCU) def. Katie Lindelow/Ashley Allmer (LSU) 21-19, 21-19
2. Helen Boyle/Lilly Kessler (LSU) def. Aleksandra Wachowicz/Molly Turner (GCU) 21-15, 21-15
3. Cati Leak/Callan Molle (LSU) def. Chloe Jenkins/Rebecca Conrad (GCU) 21-14, 21-11
4. Riley Young/Jeni Clark (LSU) def. Brooke Razo/Kami Dickerson (GCU) 21-18, 21-18
5. Megan Davenport/Cheyenne Wood (LSU) def. Emilee Erichsen/Jordyn Sanchez (GCU) 21-11, 22-20, 15-13
EXT. Victoria Boraski/Carly Morris (LSU) def. Mia Sakasegawa/Kelli Iverson (GCU) 21-6, 21-11

GCU, 1 FSU 4
1. Mackenzie Phelps/Shannon Dugan (GCU) def. Jace Pardon/Julie Brown (FSU) 21-19, 14-21, 15-12
2. Kristina Pellitteri/Victoria Paranagua (FSU) def. Aleksandra Wachowicz/Molly Turner (GCU) 17-21, 21-19, 15-10
3. Vanessa Freire/Sierra Sanchez (FSU) def. Chloe Jenkins/Rebecca Conrad (GCU) 21-17, 21-15
4. Macy Jerger/Annie Montgomery (FSU) def. Brooke Razo/Kami Dickerson (GCU) 21-19, 19-21, 15-12
5. Hailey Luke/Nikki Esposito (FSU) def. Emilee Erichsen/Jordyn Sanchez (GCU) 21-13, 21-14
EXT. Ali Eaer/Meghan Conway (FSU) def. Brandy Grant/Kelli Iverson (GCU) 21-17, 21-11