Tested team motivated to move up

For the previous four seasons, the Grand Canyon beach volleyball program has moved forward with an accumulation of small steps under Lopes head coach Kristen Rohr.

The Lopes boasted an All-American player, finished the past three seasons in the national rankings and defeated five ranked teams last season on the way to 20 wins.

Rohr and her most experienced team feel ready for the big step when the season begins this weekend with four matches in Moraga, Calif., starting with an opener of No. 14 GCU facing No. 11 California. That match will be the first indicator for the Lopes' intention of leaping into one of eight bids for the NCAA tournament in May.

"When we were first starting our program, we looked at ourselves as underdogs and we were looked at as underdogs," Rohr said. "Now, we're to the point where we don't want to use that as an excuse any more. We want to prove where this program is and that we're a team to be reckoned with."

We've been a young team that had the potential but wasn't quite there yet. We're looking for our experience to shine through this year."

This GCU season's five pairs could only include four underclassmen, two of which are older sophomores after using a redshirt year.

The returnees were part of a 2019 team that finished at No. 14 last season but felt on the verge of more with seven losses by 3-2 scores.

Rohr's coaching staff, featuring assistant coach Joe Rich and volunteer assistant and former Lopes player Kami Dickerson, returns as well as a senior class headed by Jessica Stansfield and Hannah Towne that was her first recruiting class.

Stansfield went 22-8 last season on the top three courts and is third-year captain.

"She is arguably one of the best defenders in the country," Rohr said. "Her side outs have come a long way and she isn't afraid to hold people accountable."

Towne is also part of that class that Rohr credits for establishing the team-first mantra. The 5-foot-11 blocker has played 84 career matches after spending last season on the top two courts and playing with All-American and current pro Molly Turner as a sophomore.

"Hannah has a heavy arm and has become much better this year," Rohr said. "She is a really hard person to ace. She's probably one of the best passers on our team. She has great ball control and side-outs at a high level."

Teagan DeFalco is only a sophomore for the beach volleyball team despite starring as a junior for indoor volleyball program's huge program turnaround in the fall.

The same skill set that has allowed DeFalco to start as an undersized 5-8 outside hitter as a freshman and thrive as a libero the past two seasons translated to beach volleyball, where she and 6-foot junior Bella Bauman teamed up on the U.S. National Team to reach the round of 16 at the Under-21 World Championships in Thailand.

"Teagan's at a whole new level last year," Rohr said. "She's definitely a top defender for us this year. She's just understanding the game more. She has a really heavy arm and is fast on defense and has great ball control.

Like DeFalco, Bauman has boosted confidence and wider knowledge from the international competition. As a freshman, Rohr told her she could be a future All-American and her annual improvement has backed that up.

"She's really come a long way with her blocking and is a big force at the net," Rohr said of Bauman. "She has a great option two-ball, which makes her really valuable as a defender who can serve a lot. Last year, she was two-balling so often and so well that it was forcing people to serve her. With her size and reach, she has a nasty trajectory on her hits."

GCU sophomore Anaya Evans also gained international experience this summer with England's national team. She went 18-11 last season as a defender but moves to split blocker after playing there this summer.

"You have to tell her to take time off because she wants to keep getting reps and keep getting stronger," Rohr said of Evans.

Like Evans, junior Katie Sarver can be a frustrating opponent with her hustle to keep balls off the sand. She returns after dealing with health issues last season. Sophomore Madi Relaz's 2019 season also was spoiled by injury but Rohr said her mental game and confidence has progressed.

Sophomore Katie Hess moves from defender to split blocker but can play in multiple scenarios.

"She's a competitor and loves to win and has found ways to do whatever it takes," Rohr said.

After earning a Top Flight Award last season for wins at No. 5, junior Taylor Jarzombek has proven to be a gamer whose practices are improving.

"Taylor's super crafty and has a really high beach volleyball IQ," Rohr said. "She has a great jump serve and is an absolute gamer. You see her in a match and she's a whole new level of awesome."

Sophomore Natalie Honzovicova, from the Czech Republic, is ready for a regular role after making the adjustment to U.S. college play. She had played with the same partner for five years before coming to GCU.

"The light bulb turned on this year," Rohr said. "Natalie is such an amazing partner and so positive. This year is her year. She's doing great things. It's exciting to someone who didn't give up and never complained. She's a really good culture person to have on the team."

The combination of offseason improvement and returnees has given GCU its best depth in program history. Twelve matches against preseason top-20 teams will test what that means for the Lopes' lofty goals.

"Our team is really close, like a little family," Rohr said. "They're all here for the right reasons and have bought into the team this year."

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Players Mentioned

Bella Bauman

Teagan DeFalco

Kami Dickerson

Anaya Evans

Katie Hess

Natalie Honzovicova

Taylor Jarzombek

Madi Relaz

Jessica Stansfield

Hannah Towne

Molly Turner

Grand Canyon University Athletics