GCU pushes No. 12 Oregon to brink in 5-setter

Saturday, September 7

Fort Collins, Colo.

3:30 p.m.

Grand Canyon

3-2,0-0WAC

Oregon

3-1,0-0Big Ten

Oregon

Grand Canyon

Photo by: Nathan Peters

9/7/2024 8:19:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

Lopes serve, pass well in gritty loss at Colorado State event

By: Nathan Peters

FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Grand Canyon nearly upset No. 12 Oregon in a Saturday five-setter that required the Ducks to fight off three Lopes match points.

After dropping the first set 25-13, GCU (3-2) rallied to win the next two sets to put Oregon to the test.

In the second set, the Lopes bounced back with service pressure. They finished with seven service aces for the match, but the numbers do not tell the whole story of the pressure that GCU applied.

The Lopes took the second set 25-20, knotting things up at one set apiece. Four of the Lopes' last five points came from graduate liberto Mykenna Nelson's serve, including consecutive aces during a 5-0 run that put GCU ahead 24-19.

GCU junior outside hitter Anaelena Ramirez had five kills in the third set, finishing the night with a career-high total of 11 total on a.206 hitting percentage. When the Lopes trailed 13-10 in the third set, Ramirez shifted momentum with consecutive kills to start a 4-0 run. Her kills also scored the final two points of a 25-22 set that gave GCU a 2-1 match lead.

In the fourth set, Oregon bounced back with a 25-16 victory.on a night that the Ducks hit .200 for the match.

For the second straight night at the Ram Volleyball Classic, the Lopes went to a fifth set.

The match-deciding set started with a quick 2-0 GCU lead, before Oregon went on the offensive and rallied to an 8-6 side-switch lead.

The Lopes retaliated with an 8-4 run to put up a 14-11 lead. Three of the points came from Parrott's service pressure as GCU scored four unanswered points that were capped by a Parrott ace and a kill from sophomore outside hitter Ellie Frey. Parrott finished the match with 14 kills, 12 digs and two aces.

Oregon fought off three match points and won 16-14 to take the match 3-2.

GCU relied on a strong receiving game, ending the night with a reception percentage of .949.

The Lopes will face host Colorado State on Sunday at noon (Phoenix time). The Rams are 1-1 with a Saturday win against Central Arkansas and Friday loss against Oregon.