Upcoming Event: Men's Tennis versus MW Fall Qualifier on October 3, 2025
M Tennis
vs MW Fall Qualifier
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Friday, October 4
San Diego, Calif.
Grand Canyon
at
SD Veterans Classic
Photo by: Wesley Kurz
4 newcomers take on SD Veterans Classic
10/8/2024 3:45:00 PM | Men's Tennis
GCU's 5-1 day vs. Navy highlights weekend in San Diego
Grand Canyon's four newcomers participated in the San Diego Veterans Tennis Classic over the weekend.
GCU freshmen Finbar McGarvey and Andreas Loizas, along with Lopes sophomores Nikita Volonski and Brice Patoux, made the trip to San Diego to compete in a singles and a doubles match daily Friday through Sunday.
On Day 1, GCU went 5-1 vs. Navy. Each player won his singles match in straight sets, while Patoux knocked off Navy's Jason Kim 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. Patoux and Volonski went on to win their doubles match 6-2 over Kim and Luke Garner for the Midshipmen.
"We are improving as a team each week," Lopes head coach Derek Siddiqui said. "Three out of the four guys are new to the college tennis scene, so it is great that they are already getting comfortable in this environment."
Patoux is the one returning college player after competed for Ole Miss last season.
Days 2 and 3 were much tougher, as the Lopes faced California and San Diego. Loizas moved to 2-1 in singles on the weekend with a three-sit thriller over Cal's Bernardo Munk Mesa, winning the final set 7-5. On Day 2, Volonski won his singles match 6-2, 6-2 and joined Patoux to take their doubles match as well.
"Nikita went 4-2 on the weekend and was battling for a fifth win in his final match," Siddiqui said. "He was definitely in the mix for tournament MVP, which is amazing to see."
Volonski came the closest to getting GCU a victory on Day 3 against a tough San Diego team. His match with the Toreros' Adrien Berrut came down to a third-set tiebreaker that Berrut won.
Next up for GCU is the ITA Men's Southwest Regional Championships in Tempe, Arizona. All seven Lopes qualified for the Oct.17-22 tournament.
Â
GCU freshmen Finbar McGarvey and Andreas Loizas, along with Lopes sophomores Nikita Volonski and Brice Patoux, made the trip to San Diego to compete in a singles and a doubles match daily Friday through Sunday.
On Day 1, GCU went 5-1 vs. Navy. Each player won his singles match in straight sets, while Patoux knocked off Navy's Jason Kim 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. Patoux and Volonski went on to win their doubles match 6-2 over Kim and Luke Garner for the Midshipmen.
"We are improving as a team each week," Lopes head coach Derek Siddiqui said. "Three out of the four guys are new to the college tennis scene, so it is great that they are already getting comfortable in this environment."
Patoux is the one returning college player after competed for Ole Miss last season.
Days 2 and 3 were much tougher, as the Lopes faced California and San Diego. Loizas moved to 2-1 in singles on the weekend with a three-sit thriller over Cal's Bernardo Munk Mesa, winning the final set 7-5. On Day 2, Volonski won his singles match 6-2, 6-2 and joined Patoux to take their doubles match as well.
"Nikita went 4-2 on the weekend and was battling for a fifth win in his final match," Siddiqui said. "He was definitely in the mix for tournament MVP, which is amazing to see."
Volonski came the closest to getting GCU a victory on Day 3 against a tough San Diego team. His match with the Toreros' Adrien Berrut came down to a third-set tiebreaker that Berrut won.
Next up for GCU is the ITA Men's Southwest Regional Championships in Tempe, Arizona. All seven Lopes qualified for the Oct.17-22 tournament.
Â
Players Mentioned
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
/ Men's Tennis
Kendra Potts Post Match Press Conference | GCU vs NAU 9.7.25
Monday, September 08
"Your Life Arizona" Featuring Vice President of Athletics Jamie Boggs
Friday, September 05
Kaleb Smith | Media Availability | 9.3.25
Thursday, September 04
Dusty Stromer | Media Availability | 9.3.25
Thursday, September 04