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Grand Canyon University Athletics
Lopes welcome incoming fall 2023 class
3/29/2023 12:55:00 PM | Volleyball
Two transfers and four freshmen join GCU women's volleyball
The Grand Canyon women's volleyball program welcomes six new additions to the 2023 roster, featuring transfers Stella Gkiourda and Trista Strasser along with freshmen Bella Anderson, Ellie Frey, Kaitlyn Gotsch and Emma Wegleitner.
"This recruiting class is the prototype class for us here at GCU," Lopes head coach Tim Nollan said. "They play the game at an elite level and represent themselves and their families at the highest level. I can't wait to welcome them to the Lope Family."
STELLA GKIOURDA
Outside Hitter - Senior - Central Florida
"I am very excited to have Stella joining us," Nollan said. "She is a great pin hitter with a fast arm who can score with her serve as well."
Styliani Gkiourda, who goes by Stella, originally hails from Moschato, Greece, where she played on the national U18 volleyball team; it seems that competing at a high level runs in the Gkiourda family, as her father competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics with the national team, her mother played in the Olympiacos, and her sister currently competes collegiately at Coastal Georgia. The Central Florida transfer grew up playing only club volleyball, because her high school did not have team.
At Central Florida, Gkiourda appeared in 22 matches, posting 19 kills and eight digs. She as also named to the AD honor roll in fall of 2021 and the dean's list in spring of 2021.
"I picked GCU because of the beautiful campus, and the great athletic and academic opportunities," Gkiourda said.
TRISTA STRASSER
Middle Blocker - Junior - Mizzou
"Trista is an elite blocker from the SEC," Nollan said. "She loves the game and I look forward to seeing her continue to grow in our gym."
At Mizzou, Strasser made 63 match appearances, tallying 392 points, 241 kills, 216 blocks, 83 digs and 36 service aces. In her freshman campaign, Strasser led the Tigers in service aces (22).
The Kyle, Texas native earned a three-year varsity letter at Jack C. Hays High School, totaling 389 kills and 221 blocks, including 74 solo blocks; as a junior she tallied 218 kills and achieved a school-record of 143 total blocks (39 solo blocks). Strasser was also a four-year basketball starter with 1,000 rebounds and points, breaking the school's single-season rebounds record with 408.
She was also awarded: Under Armour Honorable Mention All-America (2020), AVCA High School Region 4 All-Region Team (2020), All-VYPE Austin Preseason Public School 6A Volleyball (2020), and VIL First-Team All-District (2019).
"I came to GCU because I love the amazing girls, coaches and the great academic support," Strasser said.
BELLA ANDERSON
Libero - Freshman - Scottsdale Christian Academy
"Adding Bella to our team is a no brainer. She is an elite passer at the Libero position and has been coming to camp since she was very young," Nollan said. "Watching her grow in the game over the years and to now be welcoming her to campus is awesome and I can't wait to see her wear the GCU jersey for the first time."
Anderson compiled 804 digs, 263 aces (92.6 serving percentage), 119 assists, and a 2.2 serve receive rating as a four year varsity starter at Scottsdale Christian Academy, where she won the two state championships. Anderson won gold at nationals with her club team in 2021 as well.
In her four years playing volleyball, Anderson has collected 14 accolades, including AVCA All-American Watch List Nominee (2022), 3A Metro Region Player of the Year (2022), 3A All Conference first-team (2022, 2021), ACVA Phenom List (2021, 2020, 2019), 2A Conference Defensive Player of the Year (2021), 2A Arizona State Championship (2020, 2019), 2A Metro Region Honorable Mention (2020), PrepVolleyball Frosh 59 List (2019), All-Region Team Honorable Mention (2019), Arizona All-Academic Volleyball, Honorable Mention (2019).
The Scottsdale, Ariz. native, who will graduate with honors this year, has also excelled academically, making principles list as a member of the National Honor Society and the National Spanish Honors Society.
"I first attended a GCU volleyball camp when I was 11 years old, and knew from the very start that this was the place for me. From the campus culture, the atmosphere of the team, coaching staff, and the benefits of being close to home - I knew this is where God wanted me," Anderson said.
ELLIE FREY
Outside Hitter - Freshman - Carroll High School
"Ellie is a ball control magnet that impresses me every time I watch her," Nollan said. "She loves to compete and will have a positive impact not only on our team but on the student body as a whole."
Frey, played on varsity through all four years at Carroll High School, and became a varsity starter in 2020; In her last two years on the team, Frey combined for 679 kills, averaging 3.25 kills per set, and 94 service aces.
The two-year varsity captain received All-Northeast Indiana first-team (2021, 2022), IHSVA All-District (2020, 2021, 2020), and IHSVA Watchlist (2022, 2021, 2020) honors, in addition to the Carroll High School Most Valuable Player, and 2020 Carroll High School Charger awards.
With outstanding work in the classroom as well, Frey will graduate with a 4.2 GPA as a four-year recipient of IHSAA Academic All-State honors and a member of the National Honors Society.
"GCU excited me from the beginning. I fell in love with the campus and the idea of a large Christian school. When the I got the opportunity to play volleyball at GCU, I knew right away that this school was where God wanted me to go!," Frey said.
KAITLYN GOTSCH
Middle Blocker - Freshman - Friendswood High School
"Kaitlyn comes from an athletic family and has the length to impact the game both blocking and attacking," Nollan said. "Her growth has been very impressive to watch over the club seasons and I know she will be a force for us here at GCU."
In her senior year, Gotsch broke the Friendswood High School single-season block record (181) to not only earn 2022 Defensive MVP, but the District 19 5A Middle Blocker of the Year award as well. She was also named to the AVCA All-Region team, the Greater Houston first-team, and the All-Galveston County first team.
As a member of both the National Honor Society and the National English Honor Society, Gotsch earned a spot on the All-District 19-5A Academic Team (2021, 2022), the GHVCA Academic Team (2021, 2022), the All-Region Academic Team (2022) and the All-State Academic Team (2022).
Gotsch's father played basketball for Notre Dame (1993-97) while her cousin competed on the women's volleyball team at Central Arkansas (2015-2019).
"I chose GCU because of its unique culture; GCU is going to challenge me in multiple areas of my life, allowing me to grow my faith while also allowing me to have fun finding my forever friends," Gotsch said.
EMMA WEGLEITNER
Outside Hitter - Freshman - Champion High School
"Emma is a bigtime scorer; she has elite velocity and can score both on the left and the right side, "Nollan said. "When I met her for the first time I knew she would be a great fit on our team."
As a four-year starter at Champion High School, Wegleitner is a two-time first-team all-district, two-time MVP, two-time 5A Must Watch List, and two-time Lone Star Prep Top Hitter award recipient. The 2022 varsity captain also earned the Express News Game Ball (2022), honorable mention all-district, TWSA third-team all-state, and Under Armour Regional honors.
The Boerne, Texas native was named a three-time first-academic all-district student-athlete, and acheived first-team academic all-state ranking as well.
"GCU felt like home as soon as I stepped on campus; I knew I belonged as soon as I met the team and coaches, " Wegleitner said.
"This recruiting class is the prototype class for us here at GCU," Lopes head coach Tim Nollan said. "They play the game at an elite level and represent themselves and their families at the highest level. I can't wait to welcome them to the Lope Family."
STELLA GKIOURDAOutside Hitter - Senior - Central Florida
"I am very excited to have Stella joining us," Nollan said. "She is a great pin hitter with a fast arm who can score with her serve as well."
Styliani Gkiourda, who goes by Stella, originally hails from Moschato, Greece, where she played on the national U18 volleyball team; it seems that competing at a high level runs in the Gkiourda family, as her father competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics with the national team, her mother played in the Olympiacos, and her sister currently competes collegiately at Coastal Georgia. The Central Florida transfer grew up playing only club volleyball, because her high school did not have team.
At Central Florida, Gkiourda appeared in 22 matches, posting 19 kills and eight digs. She as also named to the AD honor roll in fall of 2021 and the dean's list in spring of 2021.
"I picked GCU because of the beautiful campus, and the great athletic and academic opportunities," Gkiourda said.
TRISTA STRASSER
Middle Blocker - Junior - Mizzou
"Trista is an elite blocker from the SEC," Nollan said. "She loves the game and I look forward to seeing her continue to grow in our gym."
At Mizzou, Strasser made 63 match appearances, tallying 392 points, 241 kills, 216 blocks, 83 digs and 36 service aces. In her freshman campaign, Strasser led the Tigers in service aces (22).
The Kyle, Texas native earned a three-year varsity letter at Jack C. Hays High School, totaling 389 kills and 221 blocks, including 74 solo blocks; as a junior she tallied 218 kills and achieved a school-record of 143 total blocks (39 solo blocks). Strasser was also a four-year basketball starter with 1,000 rebounds and points, breaking the school's single-season rebounds record with 408.
She was also awarded: Under Armour Honorable Mention All-America (2020), AVCA High School Region 4 All-Region Team (2020), All-VYPE Austin Preseason Public School 6A Volleyball (2020), and VIL First-Team All-District (2019).
"I came to GCU because I love the amazing girls, coaches and the great academic support," Strasser said.
BELLA ANDERSONLibero - Freshman - Scottsdale Christian Academy
"Adding Bella to our team is a no brainer. She is an elite passer at the Libero position and has been coming to camp since she was very young," Nollan said. "Watching her grow in the game over the years and to now be welcoming her to campus is awesome and I can't wait to see her wear the GCU jersey for the first time."
Anderson compiled 804 digs, 263 aces (92.6 serving percentage), 119 assists, and a 2.2 serve receive rating as a four year varsity starter at Scottsdale Christian Academy, where she won the two state championships. Anderson won gold at nationals with her club team in 2021 as well.
In her four years playing volleyball, Anderson has collected 14 accolades, including AVCA All-American Watch List Nominee (2022), 3A Metro Region Player of the Year (2022), 3A All Conference first-team (2022, 2021), ACVA Phenom List (2021, 2020, 2019), 2A Conference Defensive Player of the Year (2021), 2A Arizona State Championship (2020, 2019), 2A Metro Region Honorable Mention (2020), PrepVolleyball Frosh 59 List (2019), All-Region Team Honorable Mention (2019), Arizona All-Academic Volleyball, Honorable Mention (2019).
The Scottsdale, Ariz. native, who will graduate with honors this year, has also excelled academically, making principles list as a member of the National Honor Society and the National Spanish Honors Society.
"I first attended a GCU volleyball camp when I was 11 years old, and knew from the very start that this was the place for me. From the campus culture, the atmosphere of the team, coaching staff, and the benefits of being close to home - I knew this is where God wanted me," Anderson said.
ELLIE FREY
Outside Hitter - Freshman - Carroll High School
"Ellie is a ball control magnet that impresses me every time I watch her," Nollan said. "She loves to compete and will have a positive impact not only on our team but on the student body as a whole."
Frey, played on varsity through all four years at Carroll High School, and became a varsity starter in 2020; In her last two years on the team, Frey combined for 679 kills, averaging 3.25 kills per set, and 94 service aces.
The two-year varsity captain received All-Northeast Indiana first-team (2021, 2022), IHSVA All-District (2020, 2021, 2020), and IHSVA Watchlist (2022, 2021, 2020) honors, in addition to the Carroll High School Most Valuable Player, and 2020 Carroll High School Charger awards.
With outstanding work in the classroom as well, Frey will graduate with a 4.2 GPA as a four-year recipient of IHSAA Academic All-State honors and a member of the National Honors Society.
"GCU excited me from the beginning. I fell in love with the campus and the idea of a large Christian school. When the I got the opportunity to play volleyball at GCU, I knew right away that this school was where God wanted me to go!," Frey said.
KAITLYN GOTSCHMiddle Blocker - Freshman - Friendswood High School
"Kaitlyn comes from an athletic family and has the length to impact the game both blocking and attacking," Nollan said. "Her growth has been very impressive to watch over the club seasons and I know she will be a force for us here at GCU."
In her senior year, Gotsch broke the Friendswood High School single-season block record (181) to not only earn 2022 Defensive MVP, but the District 19 5A Middle Blocker of the Year award as well. She was also named to the AVCA All-Region team, the Greater Houston first-team, and the All-Galveston County first team.
As a member of both the National Honor Society and the National English Honor Society, Gotsch earned a spot on the All-District 19-5A Academic Team (2021, 2022), the GHVCA Academic Team (2021, 2022), the All-Region Academic Team (2022) and the All-State Academic Team (2022).
Gotsch's father played basketball for Notre Dame (1993-97) while her cousin competed on the women's volleyball team at Central Arkansas (2015-2019).
"I chose GCU because of its unique culture; GCU is going to challenge me in multiple areas of my life, allowing me to grow my faith while also allowing me to have fun finding my forever friends," Gotsch said.
EMMA WEGLEITNER
Outside Hitter - Freshman - Champion High School
"Emma is a bigtime scorer; she has elite velocity and can score both on the left and the right side, "Nollan said. "When I met her for the first time I knew she would be a great fit on our team."
As a four-year starter at Champion High School, Wegleitner is a two-time first-team all-district, two-time MVP, two-time 5A Must Watch List, and two-time Lone Star Prep Top Hitter award recipient. The 2022 varsity captain also earned the Express News Game Ball (2022), honorable mention all-district, TWSA third-team all-state, and Under Armour Regional honors.
The Boerne, Texas native was named a three-time first-academic all-district student-athlete, and acheived first-team academic all-state ranking as well.
"GCU felt like home as soon as I stepped on campus; I knew I belonged as soon as I met the team and coaches, " Wegleitner said.
Players Mentioned
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