Lopes run ends at NCAA Championship

Wednesday, May 4

Gulf Shores, Ala.

2 p.m. (Phoenix time)

Grand Canyon

Georgia State

Photo by: Sierra Smith

5/4/2022 6:07:00 PM | Beach Volleyball

GCU finishes historic season with 3-2 loss to Georgia State, 26-7 record

By: Sierra Smith

GULF SHORES, Ala. – The No. 7 Grand Canyon beach volleyball team made history by qualifying for the NCAA Championships for the first time, but its season came to an abrupt end after falling 3-2 to No. 10 Georgia State in the first round on Wednesday evening.

The Lopes took the lead when fifth-year senior Jess Vastine and junior Anaya Evans won in straight sets on Court 1. Georgia State evened the match with a three-set win on Court 4 and the Panthers pulled ahead 2-1 after their 3s pair won in three sets.

GCU's No. 5 pair of graduates Cami Sanchez and Dana Roskic earned a huge three-set win to bring the score to 2-2 just moments before the Court 2 match decided the dual with the Lopes' No. 2 pair battling to the end before losing.

Georgia State, making its second NCAA Championship appearance, won its 13th consecutive dual after starting the season 14-11, including a loss to the Lopes. The Panthers won the Conference USA Championship.

1. Anaya Evans/Jess Vastine (GCU) def. Georgia State 21-15, 21-14
2. Georgia State def. Allison Hansen/Allanis Navas (GCU) 13-21, 21-17, 16-14
3. Georgia State def. Teagan DeFalco/Samaya Morin (GCU) 10-21, 21-18, 15-11
4. Georgia State def. Abbie Hughes/Krista Rowan (GCU) 21-15, 19-21, 15-5
5. Dana Roskic/Cami Sanchez (GCU) def. Georgia State 21-16, 20-22, 15-13