GCU falls to UNLV on Senior Day

Saturday, February 5

Phoenix, Ariz.

11 A.M.

Grand Canyon

123

167

UNLV

2/5/2022 5:11:00 PM | Women's Swimming and Diving

Final Results (PDF)Photo Gallery

Rebels rout Lopes 167-123 in final home meet

By: Chelsie Davidson

The Grand Canyon women's swimming and diving team fell 167-123 against UNLV on Saturday at Fr. Edward A. Reese Aquatic Center in its last dual meet of the regular season.

GCU seniors Claire Banic, Hannah Barker, Robyn Edwards, Lizzy Mcknight, Nicole Yeakley were recognized for their contribution to the program.

"Both the men and women swam very well today," Lopes head coach Steve Schaffer said. "UNLV is an excellent team and gave us a very good last opportunity to race as we prepare for the WAC Championships in 2 1/2 weeks. We just wrapped up our peak cycle of training and despite being tired, we had a lot of impressive swims."

GCU started the meet with a second-place finish in the 200-yard medley relay with a time of one minute and 43.56 seconds.

It was a collective team effort from the Lopes in their fight against the Rebels.

The Lopes welcomed sophomore Madeline Vindiola back into the water, where she swam a season-best time 17:45.73 in the 1,650 freestyle, dropping 33.52 seconds.

GCU senior Robyn Edwards won the 200 backstroke in 1:58.87.

The freshmen came to compete, claiming four victories against the Rebels.

Raphaela Nakashima won the 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:04.16 and was second in the 200 breaststroke at 2:22.00.

Fruzsina Macsok posted a couple of season-best times to go along with her two victories. The Hungarian native won the 200 breaststroke (2:21.56) and the 400 individual medley (4:29.94). Maria Chatzi swam a 51.88 for the win in the 100 freestyle.

Senior Emily Muteti and freshman Maria Brunlehener had four fantastic runner-up finishes in the 50 and 100 freestyles and the 100 butterfly.

Muteti, Claire Banic, Kaitlyn Carr and Brunlehner concluded the last dual meet with a second-place finish in the 200 freestyle, posting a time of 1:34.54.

On the springboards, junior Abigail Erickson scored 282.15 points in the 1-meter event for the victory and the NCAA zone-qualifying score. Teammate Lizzy Mcknight took home third place in the 1-meter event with a score of 239.63.

"I thought the divers did well all around," GCU head coach Hunter Shafer said. "The women competed well with Abbie getting a win on 1 meter and a close second on 3. Shiori had some technical improvement that can help up moving towards WAC."

Erickson also claimed second on the 3-meter board with 271.50 points against the Rebels. Freshman Shiori Bak earned a top-three finish, posting a score of 242.10 points.

"Now it's time to start unloading and resting," Schaffer claimed. "Hopefully everyone can stay healthy. It will be a very competitive WAC Championships for both the women and the men."

Up next, the Lopes will prepare for the WAC Championships on Feb. 23-26 in Houston.