Back-and-forth battle goes to GCU in 5-set classic

Saturday, September 14

Phoenix, Ariz.

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Butler

Photo by: Rachel Sollazzo

9/14/2024 11:22:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

Lopes own net vs. Bulldogs with 17 blocks, led by Ramirez, Strasser

By: Nathan Peters

The Grand Canyon women's volleyball team clinched a Saturday night showdown with Butler in thrilling fashion, winning 3-2 at Global Credit Union Arena.

The Lopes (5-3) made the program's first match against the Bulldogs one to remember. The match was a pound-for-pound battle until late in the fourth set, when GCU managed to switch the momentum when it was most needed. The squad never looked back from there.

"The momentum shift in the fourth set was our team adjusting to the speed of their transition offense," Lopes head coach Kendra Potts said. "Our defense was reactive for most of the night, and we were able to speed up our process when the ball was not in our possession to make quality reads and pushes."

GCU began the match with a quick 5-2 lead, but the first set remained a back-and-forth competition until Butler put together a few blocks to take a 21-18 lead and finish a 25-23 set win.

Throughout the second set, Lopes junior outside hitter Tatum Parrott did what she tends to do by getting six kills. The Phoenix native finished the night with a season-high 24 kills on 66 attempts with a .303 hitting percentage.

"Tatum and 'Leaf' (graduate Ashley Lifgren) are some of the best all-around outside hitters at this level," Potts said. "Tatum showed why she needs to be respected when she's in front and back row. She hit another gear midway through the match, and you could tell she was on a mission."

Lifgren picked up where she left off Friday night on her first weekend back from injury. Against Bulter, the Peoria, Arizona, native recorded 15 kills for her highest total since the 2022 season finale and added five blocks.

"Seeing Leaf be able to contribute the way she is this weekend brings the entire team so much joy," Potts said. "Her block was amazing tonight."

One of seven kills on the night from senior middle blocker Trista Strasser clinched the second set 25-22 for the Lopes.

Similar to the whole match, the third set was tight with seven lead changes and 10 ties before Butler fought off a late 4-0 GCU run and won the set 27-25.

"Trista and Aubrey were patient but also extremely competitive throughout that process, while Anaelena (Ramirez) came up with timely blocks when we absolutely needed them, which is huge for this team's growth," Potts said.

Strasser (six), Ramirez (six) and freshman middle blocker Aubrey Goodere (five) led the charge in blocks Saturday night, when the Lopes surpassed any match from the 2023 season with a total of 17 blocks.

"Our block came alive midway through the fourth set and all the way through the fifth," Potts said. "It was awesome to see the girls own the net."

Thanks to two straight Lifgren kills, the Lopes fought off a fourth-set match point and took the set to extra points. Eventually at 27-27, a Butler error and a big swing from Parrott gave GCU the set 29-27 to even the match at 2-2.

Lopes freshman setter Taylor Kubacak spread the GCU offensive effectively to match a season high with 45 assists and added 13 digs.

The fifth-set momentum, along with a rejuvenated crowd, gave the Lopes a strong start to the decisive set, switching sides up 8-2 off a Lifgren kill and Parrott ace.

GCU closed the match 15-7 on an ace from graduate libero Mykenna Nelson.

"We knew we were going to have to learn Butler as the night went," Potts said. "Both of their outsides are extremely talented and show a lot of range and stay aggressive all the time, so I'm proud of our block for staying patient and being able to make adjustments. By Set 4 and 5, we were able to stop their attack."

GCU will face Pacific on Sunday at 2 at Global Credit Union Arena. The Tigers moved to 6-2 by defeating Portland State 3-0 and Butler 3-0 this weekend at GCU.