Lopes fall at home in 2 close fights

Saturday, March 30

12 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Stetson

Photo by: Jack Gilday

3/30/2024 5:00:00 PM | Beach Volleyball

Photo Gallery Photo Gallery 2

GCU stays home next weekend to honor seniors, face Central Arkansas, UTEP

By: Nathan Peters

The No.16 Grand Canyon beach volleyball team closed the Lopes Invitational on Saturday with close losses to fellow top-20 squads Stetson and Arizona State.

The Lopes opened the first match of the day against No.18 Stetson with a seventh straight win for the duo of junior Jessica Drake and graduate Mackenzie Harris. The pair have been playing at the five spot but came out victorious as the No.4 pair with a score of 21-9, 21-17.

The Lopes' No. 2 pair of senior Sarah Dickson and junior Katie Keefe went to a deciding third set, and fell in a close one 21-18, 24-26, 13-15.

GCU freshman duo Adrianna Serrano Ferro and Karynn Garrow won 21-14, 14-21, 15-11.

The Lopes' No. 1 pair of senior Krista Rowan and junior Sophia Hladyniuk lost the deciding match in a close fight with a score of 21-12, 21-15.

GCU then faced No.12 Arizona State in the Valley teams' first matchup of the season.

Drake and Harris continued the furious winning streak with a match victory of 21-16, 21-18. The duo has now won eight consecutive matches and nine of the last 10.

Rowan and Hladyniuk played at the No. 2 spot in an intense second match, losing 21-15 before taking the second set 22-20 to force a dramatic third set. The GCU duo lost in a 15-11 deciding set.

The Lopes lost the remaining matches for a 4-1 final.

The 16th-ranked Lopes will return home for senior weekend on April 6-7 against Central Arkansas and UTEP.

Stetson 3, GCU 2

Shae Henson and Tori Clement (SU) def. Krista Rowan and Sophia Hladyniuk (GCU) 21-12 21-15
Audrey Gauthier and Carolina Ferraris (SU) def. Katie Keefe and Sarah Dickson (GCU) 18-21 26-24 15-13
Karynn Garrow and Adria Serrano Ferro (GCU) def. Alina Urzua and Alanna Shields (SU) 21-14 14-21 15-11
Jessica Drake and Mackenzie Harris (GCU) def. Lauren Della and Vanessa Hurnikova (SU) 21-9 21-17
Klea Sirois and Kiki Drozd (SU) def. Becca Drake and Regan Holmer (GCU) 22-20 21-18

ASU 4, GCU 1

Ava Williamson and Daniella Kensinger (ASU) def. Katie Keefe and Sarah Dickson (GCU) 21-11 21-16
Anya Pemberton and Arden Besecker (ASU) def. Krista Rowan and Sophia Hladyniuk (GCU) 21-15 20-22 15-11
Lexi Sweeney and Taryn Ames (ASU) def. Karynn Garrow and Adria Serrano Ferro (GCU) 21-16 18-21 15-13
Jessica Drake and Mackenzie Harris (GCU) def. Carys Thomas and Ava Kirunchyk (ASU) 21-16 21-18
Ava Haughy and Adri Nieves Papaleo (ASU) def. Kamilah Checani and Regan Holmer (GCU) 21-12 21-14