Lopes go 2-0 on Day 1 in Tucson

Friday, March 31

Tucson, Ariz.

5:00 P.M.

Grand Canyon

Bakersfield

3/31/2017 6:18:00 PM | Beach Volleyball

By: Lisa Amsler

TUCSON, ARIZ. – The Grand Canyon beach volleyball team swept both the Santa Clara Broncos and CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners on Day 1 of the Wildcat Spring Challenge. With one more contest remaining in the tournament, the Lopes improve to 14-3 on the season.

"I was really happy with our first day of play here in Arizona," Head Coach Kristen Rohr said. "We are seeing constant improvements everytime we step on the court, which is what we wanted at this point. We know Arizona will be a tough match and the team is excited for the challenge."

Game 1

The Lopes handled every match from start to finish in just two-sets. Molly Turner and Tjasa Kotnik started things off with a quick 21-11, 21-6 victory just as Tyanna Roy and Jessica Clark were wrapping up their match on Court 5 with final scores of 21-11, 21-12.

Hannah Towne and Jordyn Sanchez had a standout performance on Court 3, limiting the Broncos' No. 3 pairing to the lowest combined scores of the match at 21-5, 21-9. Rebecca Conrad and Jessica Stansfield maintained a steady lead over their opponents and taking them down 21-13, 21-10. The No. 4 pairing claimed the fifth and final point for the Lopes after allowing the Broncos to come within seven points in the first set, the closest set score of the match. Ultimately, Kelli Iverson and Emily Reinking won 21-14, 21-12 to conclude the first contest.

GCU 5, Santa Clara 0
    1. Molly Turner/Tjasa Kotnik (GCU) def. Allison Kantor/Nikki Hess (SCU) 21-11, 21-6
    2. Rebecca Conrad/Jessica Stansfield (GCU) def. Jensen Cunningham/Kirsten Mead (SCU) 21-13, 21-10
    3. Hannah Towne/Jordyn Sanchez (GCU) def. Taylor Laugero/Hailey Lindberg (SCU) 21-5, 21-9
    4. Kelli Iverson/Emily Reinking (GCU) def. Tatiana San Juan/Michelle Gajdka (SCU) 21-14, 21-12
    5. Tyanna Roy/Jessica Clark (GCU) def. Erin Reineking/Ngozi Nwabuzoh (SCU) 21-11, 21-12

Game 2

The Lopes maintained their momentum from their earlier victory and knocked out the Roadrunners in two sets for three of the four matches.

Molly Turner and Tjasa Kotnik once again kicked things off on a high note with an easy 21-14, 21-12 win over their opponents with the set and match for Emily Reinking and Kelli Iverson on Court 4 with scores of 21-8, 21-12.

The Roadrunners began to shake things up a little after that with a close first set on Court 2. Rebecca Conrad and Jessica Stansfield ultimately won 22-20 followed by a quicker 21-11 victory in the final set. Hannah Towne and Jordyn Sanchez fought a back and forth battle with their No. 3 opponents in a points-fueled rally for the last contest. In the only three-set match of the day, Towne and Sanchez pulled off a tough 25-23 victory in the first set before just barely falling 20-22 in the first and only loss of the day. The pair did not let the defeat get to them and managed to come back with a final 15-9 victory in the last set.

The Lopes conclude Day 1 of the Wildcat Spring Challenge at 2-0 with one more match remaining against No. 8 Arizona on Saturday, April 1.

GCU 4, CSU Bakersfield 0
    1. Molly Turner/Tjasa Kotnik (GCU) def. Carol Grasso/Sara Little (CSUB) 21-14, 21-12
    2. Rebecca Conrad/Jessica Stansfield (GCU) def. Jocelyn Rodriguez/Madi Busler (CSUB) 22-20, 21-11
    3. Hannah Towne/Jordyn Sanchez (GCU) def. Ashley Prater/Sarah Garrow (CSUB) 25-23, 20-22, 15-9
    4. Emily Reinking/Kelli Iverson (GCU) def. Hannah Manzanares/Ally Barber (CSUB) 21-8, 21-12