Lopes to host GCU Invitational

Friday, September 2

Phoenix, Ariz.

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Idaho

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9/1/2022 9:00:00 AM | Volleyball

Lope-A-Palooza game scheduled for Friday night

By: Adrianna Candelaria

GCU Inviational \| Friday-Sunday, Sept. 2-4 \| GCU Arena \| Phoenix, Ariz.

	GRAND CANYON LOPES (2-1)	vs.	IDAHO VANDALS (0-3)
			WYOMING COWBOYS (0-3)
			SANTA CLARA BRONCOS (1-2)

WATCH: ESPN+ | STATS: View | GAME NOTES: View

The Grand Canyon women's volleyball team plays its first home matches this weekend, opening Friday against Idaho on Lope-A-Palooza night before facing Wyoming and Santa Clara.

THREE THINGS TO KNOW

The Lopes expect over 7,000 fans in the GCU Arena on Friday night as part of the campus' Welcome Week and Lope-A-Palooza event.
GCU finished last season as the runner-up in the WAC West Division and the WAC Tournament with a 19-7 overall record and a 10-1 home showing.
Most of last season's roster returns with five additions, including freshmen libero Tatum Thomas, outside hitters Tatum Parrott and Anaelena Ramirez, as well as graduate transfer outside hitters Melanie Brecka and Megan Taflinger.

SCOUTING IDAHO

The Vandals enter the GCU Invitational 0-3 after opening their season last weekend at the Youngstown State Tournament, featuring Youngston State (0-3), Valparaiso (0-3), and Delaware State (2-3).
Idaho finished last season 5-20, including a 3-1 loss to GCU in Moscow on Aug. 28.
The Lopes have faced the Vandals six times in program history, dating back to 2013, and carry a historical matchup record of 2-4, with both wins stemming from the 2019 and 2021 seasons.

SCOUTING WYOMING

The Cowboys come to Phoenix 0-3, after losing to Wichita State (2-3), Iowa State (1-3) and Creighton (1-3) last weekend.
Wyoming finished last season 16-14.
GCU meets Wyoming for the first time in program history this weekend.

SCOUTING SANTA CLARA

The Broncos arrive at GCU Arena 1-3, after defeating Chatanooga (3-0), and falling to Troy (3-2), and Georgia (3-0) last weekend at the Georgia Tournament.
Last year, Santa Clara finished 12-15.
GCU and Santa Clara have only met twice, splitting matches in 2016 and 2018.

LAST TIME OUT

GCU at the Bobcat Classic

GCU completed the Bobcat Classic at 2-1 after beating St. Thomas (3-0) and Montana State (3-2) before falling to San Francisco (1-3).
Senior setter Klaire Mitchell (6 kills, 121 assists, 29 digs) and graduate outside hitter Megan Taflinger (37 kills) earned all-tournament honors.