Grand Canyon University Athletics
Highlighting Grand Canyon Women's Athletics in 2016
1/5/2017 9:00:00 AM | General, Softball, Women's Basketball, Women's Cross Country, Women's Golf, Women's Soccer, Women's Swimming and Diving, Women's Tennis, Women's Volleyball, Track and Field, Women's Track and Field, Beach Volleyball
The 2016 calendar year brought with it more success for Grand Canyon University Athletics. Take a look back at some of the top memories in women's athletics over the course of the year.
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BASKETBALL: Lopes win two thrillers in inaugural GCU Thanksgiving Classic |
| Grand Canyon came from 14 points down to defeat Denver in dramatic overtime fashion before withstanding a furious rally by Idaho the following day. The Lopes went 2-0 in the Classic, claiming co-champion honors. In the opener, Marina Laramie posted 31 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Lopes. In Game 2, Casey Rarrick led GCU with 20 points after hitting six three-pointers during the game, while Aniya Baker nearly recorded a triple double with 15 points, 12 rebounds and 8 steals. |
BEACH VOLLEYBALL: GCU starts season 11-1 with 10-game win streak |
| Following a narrow loss to No. 5 Florida State, Grand Canyon reeled off 10 straight victories to begin the year 11-1. During the streak, the Lopes posted wins over Cal, South Carolina, New Mexico and San José State. Four of the 10 victories came in the form of 5-0 sweeps. The second half of the streak all came on the road. "This was a great experience for us being on the road and learning how to win in the different environments," head coach Kristen Rohr said. |
CROSS COUNTRY: Women race to third place finish at Dave Murray Invite |
| Grand Canyon placed seven runners in the top 20 of the Dave Murray Invitational to take home third place at the Randolph Municipal Golf Course in Tucson, Ariz. Finishing behind only Arizona and Arizona State, the Lopes were led by freshman Elizabeth Balsan. |
GOLF: Lopes host inaugural tournament at GCU Golf Course |
| With renovations complete at the new GCU Golf Course, the women's golf team hosted the course's first college tournament in late February. Entering the tournament's final day, GCU was just one stroke outside of first place, and Charatta Thongbai was in third place individually. The Lopes struggled on the final day of the tournament, but head coach Lauren Giesecke was pleased with GCU's standing heading into the final day. |
SOCCER: Grand Canyon tops Utah Valley in double overtime |
| After dropping a thrilling meeting in Orem to Utah Valley, the Lopes returned the favor at GCU Stadium one week later. With only one shot a piece in the first overtime, the match proceeded to double overtime. After a Utah Valley foul, McKenzie Cook took the free kick with a beautiful cross to set up a header and game-winning goal for Madison Cox in the 107th minute. The goal was Cox's third on the season, tying her season total from a year ago. |
SOFTBALL: GCU ends non-conference with sweep of LMU, enters RPI top 50 |
| The Lopes swept Loyla Marymount in the final non-conference series of the season to improve to 25-10 on the season. With the combination of GCU's impressive record and a tough schedule, the Lopes were catapulted as high as No. 43 in the NCAA RPI rankings, the highest mark in program history. Brittany Medina was perfect at the plate going 5-for-5 with five RBIs and a two-run home run. In the circle, Taylor Nowlin, the eventual WAC Pitcher of the Year and GCU's all-time strikeout leader, picked up a pair of wins through 7.1 innings tossed with nine strikeouts. |
SWIMMING & DIVING: Howard competes for Zambia in Rio Olympics |
| Jade Howard, following her junior campaign on the GCU Swimming & Diving team, was selected to represent Zambia in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil. Howard entered the 100 meter freestyle with a qualifying time of 58.74. On August 10, she swam the event in 58.47, a time that placed her fourth in her heat and set a new personal best and Zambian record. "The Olympics were such an incredible experience," Howard said. "I feel so honored and blessed to have been given the opportunity." |
TENNIS: Lopes successful in first tournament at new GCU Tennis facility |
| The new GCU Tennis Facility, a part of the university's 10 in 2 initiative, debuted for competition on November 4. "I can't thank our administration staff enough and our executive team because they gave us the chance to play on GCU soil," head coach Gregory Prudhomme said. GCU's Lana Rinaldi and Celina Buhr came away with wins in their respective championship matches to claim singles titles. Doubles championships came from the duos of Tatum Prudhomme/Susan Baklini and Lana Rinaldi/Celina Buhr. |
TRACK & FIELD: GCU wins both WAC titles, sends athlete to Olympics |
| Grand Canyon more than doubled its nearest competitor in team scoring to claim the WAC Indoor Track & Field title. In the outdoor season, the Lopes claimed their first WAC title since transitioning to the Division I ranks. Head coach Tom Flood was named the WAC Coach of the Year. Individually, Tarasue Barnett represented GCU and Jamaica at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio after taking first place in the Jamaica National Trials in the discus. |
VOLLEYBALL: Nollan joins GCU, begins new era for Lopes Volleyball |
| Tim Nollan became the seventh head coach in GCU Women's Volleyball history when he was hired after spending time at USC. In addition to coaching duties at USC, Nollan also served as the recruiting coordinator and brought in the No. 1 recruiting class in the country in 2010 and the No. 2 class in 2013 and 2014 according to PrepVolleyball.com. "Tim Nollan is one of the most respected volleyball coaches in the country," Mike Vaught said. |
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Basketball
/ Women's Tennis
DIS
/ Track and Field
/ Women's Tennis
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/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
/ Women's Swimming and Diving
F/C
/ Women's Basketball
C/IF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
/ Women's Tennis
G
/ Women's Basketball
/ Women's Tennis
/ Women's Golf
Kendra Potts Post Match Press Conference | GCU vs NAU 9.7.25
Monday, September 08
"Your Life Arizona" Featuring Vice President of Athletics Jamie Boggs
Thursday, September 04
Makaih Williams | Media Availability | 9.3.25
Thursday, September 04
Dusty Stromer | Media Availability | 9.3.25
Thursday, September 04