Completed Event: Beach Volleyball versus Washington on April 10, 2026 , Win , 4, to, 1
Beach VB
vs Washington
W 4-1
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Photo by: Jayden Todd
National preseason poll ranks Lopes at No. 14
2/16/2024 12:45:00 PM | Beach Volleyball
GCU set to face 18 top-20 opponents on this season's schedule
With the season just around the corner, the Grand Canyon beach volleyball team heads into the last week of the preseason with the American Volleyball Coaches Association preseason poll ranking the Lopes at No.14.
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The Lopes are looking to continue their run of success after competing in their second straight NCAA tournament last season, whey they posted their second consecutive 26-win season. GCU has finished the last four seasons in the top 15 of the final national poll.
GCU built its beach volleyball program independent of a conference for its first 10 seasons before accepting a bid to the Coastal Collegiate Sports Association. The CCSA had three other teams in the top 20 with Florida State at No. 3, LSU at No. 6 and South Carolina at No.17.
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The Lopes tallied 160 points to rank just above No. 15 Washington (143). In addition, the Lopes are the highest-ranked team in the state with Arizona State at No.18 and Arizona receiving votes. The Lopes return a portion of their roster but also have bolstered the lineup with many new faces.
Led by returning senior Krista Rowan, the Chandler native finished the 2023 season with a 20-12 record, including wins over No.10 Georgia State, No.11 Stetson, No.18 Pepperdine, No.10 Stanford and No.9 California. Rowan's leadership includes the experience that comes with competing in the NCAA tournament in her sophomore and junior seasons.
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Defending national champion USC took the top AVCA spot while national runner-up UCLA earned one first-place vote.
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GCU will have a fair share of big opportunities, facing 18 top-20 opponents this season.
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The Lopes are set to begin competition in just over a week, when they face Arizona Christian at home on Feb. 24 at 10 a.m.
The full preseason poll can be found here.Â
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The Lopes are looking to continue their run of success after competing in their second straight NCAA tournament last season, whey they posted their second consecutive 26-win season. GCU has finished the last four seasons in the top 15 of the final national poll.
GCU built its beach volleyball program independent of a conference for its first 10 seasons before accepting a bid to the Coastal Collegiate Sports Association. The CCSA had three other teams in the top 20 with Florida State at No. 3, LSU at No. 6 and South Carolina at No.17.
Â
The Lopes tallied 160 points to rank just above No. 15 Washington (143). In addition, the Lopes are the highest-ranked team in the state with Arizona State at No.18 and Arizona receiving votes. The Lopes return a portion of their roster but also have bolstered the lineup with many new faces.
Led by returning senior Krista Rowan, the Chandler native finished the 2023 season with a 20-12 record, including wins over No.10 Georgia State, No.11 Stetson, No.18 Pepperdine, No.10 Stanford and No.9 California. Rowan's leadership includes the experience that comes with competing in the NCAA tournament in her sophomore and junior seasons.
Â
Defending national champion USC took the top AVCA spot while national runner-up UCLA earned one first-place vote.
Â
GCU will have a fair share of big opportunities, facing 18 top-20 opponents this season.
Â
The Lopes are set to begin competition in just over a week, when they face Arizona Christian at home on Feb. 24 at 10 a.m.
The full preseason poll can be found here.Â
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Players Mentioned
/ Beach Volleyball
Sydney McCray Media Availability | 5.4.26
Monday, May 04
Emily Gonzalez Media Availability | 5.4.26
Monday, May 04
Jada Cooper Media Availability | 5.4.26
Monday, May 04
Natalie Fritz Media Availability | 5.4.26
Monday, May 04