NIVC run cut short by Drake

Monday, December 5

Wichita, Kan.

4:30 p.m.

Grand Canyon

18-11,10-4WAC

Drake

28-7,16-2MVC

Grand Canyon

Drake

12/5/2022 8:13:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

Lopes fall 3-0 to Bulldogs in 2nd round of NIVC tournament

By: Adrianna Candelaria

WICHITA, Kan. — The Grand Canyon women's volleyball team fought for every point in its 25-18, 25-18, 25-23 Monday night loss to Drake in the National Invitational Volleyball Championship second round.

"Tonight didn't go our way," Lopes head coach Tim Nollan said. "We had a hard time getting anything going on offense, but I give Drake a lot of credit for the way they attacked the ball."

Although the Bulldogs (28-7) stymied the Lopes (18-11) in the first two sets by hitting .326 and .382 to .195 and .114, respectively, GCU found new life in the final frame, establishing an eight-point lead after a kill from freshman outside hitter Anaelena Ramirez to cap a four-point scoring run from the Lopes.

Ramirez posted seven kills, 23 attacks and a single dig, assist, block and block assist, recording career match-highs in all categories outside of hitting percentage.

The Lopes were led by sophomore outside hitter McKenzie Wise with 14 kills, seven digs, a service ace and a solo block for 16 points. GCU senior setter Klaire Mitchell added 29 assists, three digs, two kills and a service ace, while graduate libero Megan Taflinger finished with 11 digs and one ace.

In their last collegiate volleyball matches, graduate outside hitter Melanie Brecka had four kills and one dig while senior middle blocker Hannah Eskes tallied six digs and three blocks.

"It's always hard to see your seniors play their last game," Nollan said. "I will miss this group."

The Lopes led the final set all the way to 23-20, before the Bulldogs battled back with five consecutive points to end the match.

"This team has helped build GCU Volleyball into what it is, and I'm proud of the body of work we had this year," Nollan said. "We'll take time off for finals and for the holidays, and will look to continue building on what we started this fall."