No. 16 GCU hosts season opener

No. 16 Grand Canyon beach volleyball is set to open the season by hosting three teams this weekend at GCU Beach Volleyball Stadium, including New Mexico, No. 15 Loyola Marymount and GCU's first Division I matchup with Arizona State.

The Lopes will play a Friday doubleheader against New Mexico (3 p.m.) and LMU (5 p.m.) before facing ASU at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

GCU aims to use its home-court advantage for a strong start after rising two poll spots from last season's finish in the American Volleyball Coaches Association rankings. The Lopes return eight players, including veteran Hannah Towne, a junior who competed in 18 matches in the top spot with All-American Molly Turner last season.

The season-opening opponent, New Mexico, has not beaten GCU in six previous meetings, including four at GCU. The Lopes also lead the all-time series against LMU, outscoring the Lions in four of five meetings. The Lopes maintain a four-match winning streak over LMU, dating back to March 23, 2013.

LMU is the first of 14 ranked opponents that the Lopes will face this season. New Mexico and ASU received votes in the AVCA preseason poll.

GCU adds a new competitor to the record books on Saturday with a visit from ASU. The match marks the first time that any GCU team has faced the in-state foe since the Lopes athletic program moved to Division I in 2013. The highly anticipated matchup also marks the first live-streamed match in GCU beach volleyball history. It can be viewed here on the day of the event.

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Players Mentioned

Hannah Towne

Molly Turner

Grand Canyon University Athletics