Lopes take tough losses in Long Beach

Wednesday, March 13

Long Beach, Calif.

9:30 a.m.

Grand Canyon

Long Beach State

Photo by: Nathan Peters

3/13/2024 6:52:00 PM | Beach Volleyball

Harris, Drake show veteran skill in 2nd match of day

By: Nathan Peters

LONG BEACH, CALIF. – The No.17 Grand Canyon beach volleyball team began its California trip Wednesday with tough losses in the first two of four matches.

GCU played at No. 7 Long Beach State, where the Lopes fell 5-0 in the first match.

GCU next lost 4-1 to No. 15 Georgia State in the second match at Long Beach State. The Lopes' bright spot came from junior Jessica Drake and graduate Mackenzie Harris, who emerged with energy and confidence to win 21-16, 21-19 in come-from-behind fashion.

Freshman Becca Drake made her collegiate debut for the Lopes in a three-set thriller in the No. 3 flight. She played in the exhibition No. 6 spot against Long Beach before being called to action for the Georgia State match.

The Lopes' 4-1 loss does not tell the whole story, as three of the five duals went to three sets, including two decided by two points.

GCU will be back in action for the East Meets West Invitational at Manhattan Beach Friday to face off against UCLA and Loyola Marymount.

LBSU 5, GCU 0

Malia Gementera/Taylor Hagenah (LBSU) def. Sophia Hladyniuk/Krista Rowan (GCU) 21-13, 21-15
Savannah Standage/Julia Westby (LBSU) def. Karynn Garrow/Noelle Weintraub (GCU) 21-9, 21-18
Natalie Glenn/Mo GIbson (LBSU) def. Sarah Dickson/Madi Bogle (GCU) 21-13, 21-19
Megan Widener/Christine Deroos (LBSU) def. Katie Keefe/Elly Collins (GCU) 21-12, 21-19
Haley Carrington/Livi Narancich (LBSU) def. Mackenzie Harris/Jessica Drake (GCU) 21-14, 21-17

Order of finish: 2, 4, 5, 1, 3

Georgia State 4, GCU 1

Bella Ferary/Angel Ferary (GSU) def. Krista Rowan/Sophia Hladyniuk (GCU) 21-23, 22-20, 15-11
Lila Bordis/Aree Keller (GSU) def. Sarah Dickson/Karynn Garrow (GCU) 38-40, 21-17, 18-16
Elise Saga/Alya Johnson (GSU) def. Becca Drake/Madi Bogle (GCU) 21-11, 19-21, 15-13
Destiny White/Savannah Ebarb (GSU) def. Elly Collins/Katie Keefe (GCU) 21-17, 27-25
Jessica Drake/Mackenzie Harris (GCU) def. Aliisa Vuorinen/Michaela Jefferson (GSU) 21-16, 21-19

Order of finish: 4, 2, 5, 3, 1