GCU splits weekend matches in Hawaii

Sunday, April 14

Honolulu, Hawaii

3 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Portland

Photo by: Nathan Peters

4/15/2024 2:27:00 AM | Beach Volleyball

Lopes look to create consistency before conference tournament

By: Nathan Peters

HONOLULU, Hawaii – The No.19 Grand Canyon beach volleyball team split its weekend matches at Hawaii, going 2-2 after being Portland and losing to host No.12 Hawai'i on Sunday.

GCU began the day with a dominant sweep against the Pilots. In that match, junior Katie Keefe and sophomore Regan Holmer got a victory as the No. 2 pair in a straight-set win while senior Noelle Weintraub and junior Hailey Hutchings prevailed 21-9, 21-17 on Court 5.

After that victory, the Lopes shifted focus toward another shot at Hawai'I, this time in a night match where the Rainbow Warriors recognized their seniors.

The evening match began with Hutchings and Weintraub winning the first set 21-14 on Court 5. Despite the early lead, Hawai'i took the match with a 21-17 second set and 15-10 third set.

The Lopes' power duo of junior Jessica Drake and graduate Mackenzie Harris won its 15th straight match against Portland to begin the day and went to a dramatic third set against Hawaii, which won the tiebreaking set 15-13 in front of a strong crowd.

GCU's highlight of the evening was the freshman pairing of Karynn Garrow and Adriana Serrano Ferro getting the victory at the No. 3 pair. The tandem showed poise despite a first-set loss. Garrow's skill was highlighted in the second set before the third set, when they showed why they will be a strong force in the future.

After the No. 2 pair of senior Sarah Dickson and junior Katie Keefe lost, Hawaii had clinched the team win at 3-1 prior to the No. 1 pair taking center court,

On the main court, GCU had senior Krista Rowan and junior Sophia Hladyniuk, who played close sets but could not get enough rhythm to make their move in a 21-16, 23-21 loss.

The Lopes will be back in action for their final regular season matches, which will take place next weekend against California, Stanford, Washington and UC Davis at the Stanford Invitational.

GCU 5, Portland 0

Krista Rowan/Sophie Hladyniuk (GCU) def. Elin Larsson/Leonie Freytag (POR) 21-18, 21-12
Katie Keefe/Regan Holmer (GCU) def. Sophie Lee/Annika Stammberger (POR) 21-17, 21-8
Karynn Garrow/A. Serrano Ferro (GCU) def. Maui Robins/Taylor Helle (POR) 21-18, 21-18
Jessica Drake/Mackenzie Harris (GCU) def. Jordan Bardouche/Valerie Bruk (POR) 21-7, 21-9
Hailey Hutchings/Noelle Weintraub (GCU) def. Kili Robins/Elena Bullemer (POR) 21-9, 21-17

Hawai'i 4, GCU 1

Jaime Santer/Alana Embry (UH) def. Krista Rowan/Sophie Hladyniuk (GCU) 21-16, 23-21
Kaylee Glagau/Pani Napoleon (UH) def. Katie Keefe/Sarah Dickson (GCU) 21-17, 21-10
Karynn Garrow/A. Serrano Ferro (GCU) def. Sydney Amiatu/Riley Wagoner (UH) 18-21, 21-19, 15-11
Sydney Miller/Anna Maidment (UH) def. Jessica Drake/Mackenzie Harris (GCU) 24-22, 17-21, 15-13
Julia Thelle/Sarah Burton (UH) def. Hailey Hutchings/Noelle Weintraub (GCU) 14-21, 21-17, 15-10