Lopes defeat No. 4, No. 17 in 1 day

Sunday, March 1

Hilton Head, S.C.

6:30 a.m.

Grand Canyon

#4 USC

Photo by: Wes Wilson

3/1/2020 6:56:00 PM | Beach Volleyball

GCU vs. USC Results GCU vs. South Carolina Results

GCU moves to 3-1 against ranked teams

By: Sierra Smith

HILTON HEAD, S.C. — The No. 10 Grand Canyon beach volleyball took down two ranked teams in the same day, winning 3-2 matches against No. 4 USC and No. 17 South Carolina on Sunday at the Hilton Head Invitational.

"I am so proud of this team and their execution this weekend of the things we have been working on," GCU head coach Kristen Rohr said. "They went in and played aggressive and confident."

Lopes upset No. 4 USC

The match began with the fourth and fifth pairs, where the GCU No. 5 pair of sophomore Madi Relaz and junior Taylor Jarzombek secured the first win of the match in two sets (24-22, 21-11). Lopes junior Natalie Honzovicova and sophomore Katie Hess fell in close sets, 19-21, 18-21 on Court 4.

On Court 3, sophomore Anaya Evans and junior Katie Sarber gave the Lopes a 2-1 lead by winning 21-19, 18-21, 15-12.

The Lopes' No. 1 pair of junior Bella Bauman and sophomore Teagan DeFalco also won in in three sets. After losing the first set 18-21, the pair came back to win 21-17 and 15-13 to clinch the dual win for GCU.

The Lopes senior pair of Jessica Stansfield and Hannah Towne forced three sets but fell 21-23, 25-23, 9-15.

"Our team is beginning to believe we can win every point," Rohr said. "Simply put, the 'GCU way' is to take advantage of what the other team gives us and always work the details on our side."

Lopes defeats No. 17 South Carolina

Jarzombek and Relaz moved to 8-0 at No. 5 on the season but South Carolina evened the score when it defeated Honzovicova and Hess on Court 4 in three sets (19-21, 21-14, 12-15).

South Carolina took a 2-1 lead when GCU seniors Jessica Stansfield and Hannah Towne lost 23-25, 17-21 on Court 2.

DeFalco and Bauman swept the Gamecocks' No. 1 pair 21-12, 21-17 to even the dual score at 2-2.

It all came down to Court 3, and after three sets, Sarber and Evans were victorious to secure the 3-2 GCU win over South Carolina.

"Though, we still have work to do, we are really happy about this start being on the road and beating three solid teams," Rohr said.

Up next, the Lopes open their home slate as they host the Canyon Classic this weekend. GCU will welcome Abilene Christian, No. 7 Cal Poly, Houston Baptist and San Diego City College on Friday and Saturday at GCU Beach Volleyball Stadium.

For live match updates, follow the Lopes on Twitter and Instagram at @GCU_Beach.