Lopes go 2-0 on opening day of Canyon Classic

Saturday, April 6

2 p.m.

Grand Canyon

UTEP

Photo by: Rachel Sollazzo

4/6/2024 8:08:00 PM | Beach Volleyball

GCU's 4 seniors set for recognition Sunday afternoon

By: Nathan Peters

The No.19 Grand Canyon beach volleyball team closed the first day of the Canyon Classic with Saturday home sweeps against UTEP and Arizona Christian to begin Senior Weekend.

The Lopes opened the first match of the day with a quick win against UTEP for the Court 4 duo of junior Jessica Drake and graduate Mackenzie Harris. The pair won their 10th straight match in a 21-16, 21-11 victory at GCU Beach Volleyball Stadium.

The Lopes' No. 2 pair of junior Sophia Hladyniuk and junior Katie Keefe lost the first set against UTEP but rallied back in the second set after a four point run to claim the set. In the deciding set the Lopes claimed the game 19-17. The pair then won the second match of the day 21-9, 21-15.

GCU freshman duo Adriana Serrano Ferro and Karynn Garrow won 21-16, 21-18. Garrow then won in the ACU match, this time with senior partner Noelle Weintraub.

Junior Hailey Hutchings and freshman Becca Drake won the No. 5 pair flight 21-8, 21-13. Hutchings played with sophomore Regan Holmer in the second match, in which the two won 21-18, 21-11.

The Lopes' No. 1 pair of seniors Krista Rowan and Sarah Dickson won the first set 21-19, before losing the second 21-17. In the deciding set, the pair battled and pulled out a 20-18 win. The top pair took its second match of the day 21-16, 21-17.

GCU will face UTEP again Sunday at 2 p.m., along with Central Arkansas at 10 a.m. The seniors will be honored prior to the UTEP match at GCU Beach Volleyball Stadium.

GCU 5, UTEP 0

Krista Rowan and Sarah Dickson (GCU) def. Krista Paegle and Paulina Acuna (UTEP) 21-19 17-21 20-18
Katie Keefe and Sophia Hladyniuk (GCU) def. Madison Hill and Summer McDonough (UTEP) 19-21 21-18 19-17
Karynn Garrow and Adriana Serrano Ferro (GCU) def. Katie Martin and Marian Ovalle (UTEP) 21-16 21-18
Jessica Drake and Mackenzie Harris (GCU) def. Ema Uskokovic and Mila Popovic (UTEP) 21-11 21-7
Hailey Hutchings and Becca Drake (GCU) def. Adriana Oporto and Alexis Massey (UTEP) 21-8 21-13

GCU 5, ACU 0

Krista Rowan and Sarah Dickson (GCU) def. Misty McCall and Mia Scheepens (ACU) 21-16 21-17
Katie Keefe and Sophia Hladyniuk (GCU) def. Riley Brown and Haley Brown (ACU) 21-9 21-15
Karynn Garrow and Noelle Weintraub (GCU) def. Eliana Cho and Kapri Espinosa (ACU) 21-10 21-15
Jessica Drake and Mackenzie Harris (GCU) def. Sydney Shaw and Brianna Boeckman (ACU) 21-16 21-11
Hailey Hutchings and Regan Holmer (GCU) def. Amaya Brown and Emily Katzer (ACU) 21-18 21-11