Lopes close out tough first road trip

Saturday, March 2

Los Angeles, CA

1 p.m.

Grand Canyon

USC

Photo by: Wesley Kurz

3/2/2024 9:31:00 PM | Beach Volleyball

Will regroup, return Mar.13 for four more top-20 matchups

By: Nathan Peters

LOS ANGELES – The No. 14 Grand Canyon beach volleyball team closed out the tough weekend Saturday to finish the first road trip of the season.

GCU and No. 3 USC met at the home courts of the reigning back-to-back NCAA Champion Trojans, where the Lopes fell 5-0. The number five pair of Jessica Drake and Mackenzie Harris pushed their match to a third set after a second set victory of 21-15, but ultimately suffered a loss in the third, 15-12.

GCU next faced No.18 Cal Poly in their final match in the Battle for LA Invitational. Once again, the Lopes bright spot came from Drake and Harris who came from behind to get their win. The junior and graduate student won the second set 21-18 and continued to battle into the third. At one point the Lopes faced game point 14-13 before going on a run and snagging the team point.

The Lopes will look to regroup in Phoenix before continuing their grueling schedule against the nation's best, when they return to California for matches against Long Beach, Georgia State, No.1 UCLA, and a rematch with LMU on Mar. 13 and Mar. 15.

USC 5, GCU 0

Laynie Maple and Megan Kraft (USC) def. Krista Rowan and Sophia Hladyniuk (GCU) 21-8 21-14
Audrey Nourse and Nicole Nourse (USC) def. Karynn Garrow and Noelle Weintraub (GCU) 21-18 21-12
Madison White and Maddi Kriz (USC) def. Madi Bogle and Sarah Dickson (GCU) 21-16 21-16
Madison Goellner and Gabby Walker (USC) def. Katie Keefe and Adria Serrano Ferro (GCU)21-16 21-11
Mabyn Thomas and Ainsley Radell (USC) def. Jessica Drake and Mackenzie Harris (GCU) 21-15 15-21 15-12
Delaney Karl and Grace Hong (USC) def. Hailey Hutchings and Elly Collins (GCU) 21-19 21-15

Order of finish:6, 2, 4, 1, 3, 5,

Cal Poly 4, GCU 1

Ella Connor and Izzy Martinez (CP) def. Krista Rowan and Sophia Hladyniuk (GCU) 21-14 21-13
Piper Ferch and Erin Inskeep (CP) def. Karynn Garrow and Noelle Weintraub (GCU) 21-15 21-13
Quinn Perry and Lindsey Sparks (CP) def. Madi Bogle and Sarah Dickson (GCU) 21-17 21-18
Piper Naess and Logan Walter (CP) def. Katie Keefe and Adria Serrano Ferro (GCU) 21-13 21-18
Jessica Drake and Mackenzie Harris (GCU) def. Abbey Reinard and Madison Nichols (CP) 19-21 21-18 16-14
Katie Clevenger and Julia Soeller (CP) def. Kate Biasbas and Karis Gordon (GCU) 21-11 23-25