Full weekend awaits Lopes

PHOENIX— Both Grand Canyon tennis teams have a full upcoming weekend. The men's team will compete in the Golden State Invitational and the women will head to Des Moines, Iowa for a pair of matches.

Last week the men's team competed in the Mountain Pacific Invitational in Albuquerque, N.M. The Lopes enjoyed a successful weekend, going 2-1 in the three matches. GCU defeated Lamar 4-0 in the first round, Brown 4-2 in the semifinals, and then were bested by Wichita State in the final. Senior Gregoire Balenci and newcomer Lucas Grego both finished the weekend 3-0, and Grego was named WAC Singles Player of the Week.

The men's team this weekend will compete in their second straight tournament, the Golden State Invite is hosted by Sacramento State and UC Davis. Last season the Lopes competed in this tournament and made it to the championship match where they lost to Portland 4-3.

This year the Lopes will compete against Nevada in the first round on Friday, a first round rematch from last season. This year's field consist of GCU, Nevada, UT Arlington, Saint Mary's, Sacramento State, Hawaii, UC Davis, and WAC opponent Seattle U.

The women have enjoyed an extended break, their last match was in Hawaii on Feb. 24. In Honolulu, the Lopes spilt two matches between Hawaii and San Diego State. GCU lost to the Rainbow Warriors 5-1 but bounced back and defeated the Aztecs for the first time in the DI era.

This weekend the Lopes will match up against Montana State (3-4) and Drake (9-2). Since 2013-14 the Lopes and the Bobcats have met once, GCU got the win in 2016 in Phoenix. On Sunday, GCU and Drake (9-2) will meet for the first time in the DI era.

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Players Mentioned

Gregoire Balenci

Lucas Grego

Grand Canyon University Athletics