Another 2-win day puts Lopes at 4-0

Sunday, February 25

Phoenix, Ariz.

11 a.m.

Grand Canyon

Boise State

Photo by: Wesley Kurz

2/25/2024 4:20:00 PM | Beach Volleyball

Battle of LA Invitational sets up elite showdowns

By: Nathan Peters

The Grand Canyon beach volleyball team concluded head coach Abra Rummel's first weekend as head coach with a 3-2 win against Boise State and a 4-1 win against UAB at home Sunday, improving the Lopes' record to 4-0.

On center court, the Lopes' No. 1 pair of senior Krista Rowan and junior Sophia Hladyniuk got the job done Saturday against Boise State with a win of 22-20, 21-19. The two then lost in a battle with UAB, which came back to claim a 10-21, 21-17, 15-10 victory.

At Court 2, GCU freshman Karynn Garrow and senior Noelle Weintraub stayed undefeated on the season with wins against Boise State, 21-17, 21-15, and UAB in a three-set battle, 21-12, 13-21, 15-11.

Lopes pair Jessica Drake and Sarah Dickson fell in the first match with Boise State rallying to a 13-21, 25-23, 15-4 win. The junior and senior duo got back in the win column in the second match against UAB to win 23-21, 21-15.

Aside from the No. 2 pair, the Court 4 pairing of junior Madi Bogle and freshman Adriana Serrano Ferro are the other remaining undefeated pair through the first weekend, Bogle and Serrano Ferro were dominant winning, 21-16, 21-12 against Boise State and 21-10, 21-13 against Boise State.

"I think they handled adversity really well against some good competition," Rummel said. " When there were tough moments, they found ways to play their best volleyball."

On Court 5, graduate Mackenzie Harris and junior Katie Keefe lost the first match to Boise State with a score of 21-17, 21-18. The two got back on track in the afternoon matchup against Boise State with a 21-15, 21-16 win.

The Lopes are back in action next weekend against four top-20 teams at the Battle for LA Invitational.

"This was a great opening weekend for us," Rummel said. "After watching everyone, it's a distinct list of things we get to work on, and I am excited to get better at those things and be able to use them against some of the best teams in the country."