Lopes finish opening weekend strong

Saturday, March 4

Phoenix, Ariz.

9:00 A.M.

Grand Canyon

Texas Christian

3/4/2017 8:45:00 PM | Beach Volleyball

By: Imani Suber

PHOENIX - The Grand Canyon beach volleyball program finished opening weekend on a high note picking up a pair of wins in its morning contests against TCU and Loyola Marymount at 3-2 each. The Lopes closed out the night with a 4-1 loss to No. 5 Hawai'i.

"We overall had a really good weekend, " head coach Kristen Rohr said. "I saw some great stuff out of our team. It was a great test weekend to see where we are right now and where we want to get to and what we need to do to be successful and continue to move to the top level."

The Lopes started the morning on fire picking up its third win of the weekend against TCU in a 3-2 finish. GCU's No.4 and No.5 pairings secured the first two wins over the Frogs early. Emily Reinking and Kelli Iverson played with confidence downing TCU in straight sets. Jessica Stansfield and Tyanna Roy followed dropping the Frogs after a three-set marathon to put GCU up 2-0.

While GCU continued to battle, Molly Turner and Tjasa Kotnik dominated on center court, defeating TCU with physical and skilled play to edge out the Frogs 21-14, 21-18 and take the game at 3-2.

GCU continued its winning ways in its second match of the day in its 3-2 win over Loyola Marymount.

As the Lopes carried their energy over from their previous victory, the Lopes No.4 and No.5 pairings picked up their second-straight victories.

Turner and Kotnik followed shortly after bringing it home for GCU once again downing LMU 21-11, 21-12 to secure the victory at 3-2.

GCU closed out the day of action against Hawai'i and although the Lopes suffered their first loss of the young season to the Bows at 4-1, Turner and Kotnik came up huge securing a victory over Hawai'is top pairing through a three set thriller.

"Hawai'i is probably one of the most talented programs and have the most depth in terms of best in the country," Rohr said. "They are well coached, have really athletic kids. We knew that they were going to be a tough match."

Kotnik and Turner once again impressed at center court. Hawai'i struck first edging out the Lopes just barley at 21-23. GCU refused to be phased bouncing back quickly handling the Bows in set two in a 21-14 finish. It came down to the third set as the tie breaker round was filled with long rallies and diving plays. Turner's athleticism was on full display as she scored the final two points, tipping the ball off the Wahine block to take the match at 19-17.

The Lopes are back in action on Wednesday, Mar. 8 as they host Texas A&M Kingsville at GCU Beach Volleyball Stadium. Match time is set for 5:30 p.m. MST.

Results

Hawai'i 4, GCU 1

Molly Turner / Tjasa Kotnik (GCU) def. Mikayla Tucker / Morgan Martin (HU) 21-23, 21-14, 19-17
Nikki Taylor/ Ka'iwi Schucht (UH) def. Rebecca Conrad / Jordyn Sanchez (GCU) 19-21, 14-21
Emily Maglio / Laurel Weaver (UH) def. Jessica Clark / Hannah Towne (GCU) 19-21, 15-21
Hi'ilawe Huddleston / Amy Ozee (UH) def. Emily Reinking / Kelli Iverson (GCU) def.16-21, 21-11, 12-15
Carly Kan/ Ari Homayun (UH) def. Jessica Stansfield / Tyanna Roy (GCU) 14-21, 13-21

GCU 3 , TCU 2

Molly Turner / Tjasa Kotnik (GCU) def Molly Scheel / Haven Hill (TCU) 21-14, 21-18
Jaelyn Greene / Amy Neal (TCU) def. Rebecca Conrad / Jordyn Sanchez (GCU) 14-21, 17-21
Bergeson / Avery Arellano (TCU) def. Jessica Clark / Hannah Towne (GCU) 19-21, 17-21
Emily Reinking / Kelli Iverson (GCU) def. Sarita Mikals / Ariah Palter (TCU) 21-16, 21-17
Jessica Stansfield / Tyanna Roy (GCU) def. Olivia Canales / Shane Peters (TCU) 17-21, 21-15, 16-14

GCU 3, LMU 2

Molly Turner / Tjasa Kotnik (GCU) def Savannah Slattery / Tatiana Schlange (LMU) 21-11, 21-12
Brittnay Estes /Kekai Whitford (LMU) def. Rebecca Conrad / Jordyn Sanchez (GCU) 18-21, 21-19, 9-15
Sara Kovac / Jessie Prichard (LMU) def. Jessica Clark / Hannah Towne (GCU) 21-18, 17, 20-22, 11-15
Emily Reinking / Kelli Iverson (GCU) def. Emma Doud / Veronica Nederend (LMU) 28-26, 21-17
Jessica Stansfield / Tyanna Roy (GCU) def. Kristen Castellanos / Erin Williams (LMU) 21-16, 17-21, 15-4