Lopes take gritty 4-set win at Nevada

Saturday, November 15

Reno, Nev.

7 p.m. (MST)

Grand Canyon

17-10,9-7Mountain West

Nevada

8-18,4-12Mountain West

Grand Canyon

Nevada

Photo by: Nathan Peters

11/15/2025 10:53:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

GCU holds strong position for MW tourney berth entering regular season's final week

By: Nathan Peters

RENO, Nev. — Grand Canyon earned a resilient 3–1 road win at Nevada on Saturday evening, recovering from a difficult opening frame to take the final three sets 25–21, 25–18 and 26–24.

The Lopes (17-10, 9-7 Mountain West) remained in a fourth-place tie with Boise State in MW play with the Broncos holding the tiebreaker and two regular-season games remaining. With the top six teams advancing to the Mountain West Championship, GCU is one game ahead of sixth-place San Diego State and two ahead of Air Force and San José State.

Nevada controlled the first set, producing seven kills against seven errors. But the Lopes responded immediately in the second set. Led by improved passing and steadier swings, GCU jumped ahead early, held Nevada to .045 hitting and closed out a 25–21 win to even the match.

GCU freshman opposite Ana Jaramazovic played a key role in stabilizing the attack throughout the turnaround. She finished with eight kills and delivered timely points.

"I'm proud of how AJ (Jaramazovic) has come in and been able to make an offensive difference on the backside," Lopes head coach Kendra Potts said. "She was just consistent and that's what we're looking for, just adding that balance offensively and consistency. I'm really proud of how she's applying at this time of the year."

GCU's best stretch came in the third set, when the Lopes hit .348 with 11 kills and three aces. The balanced effort powered a 25–18 win.

Lopes freshman middle blocker Aubrey Bellus was instrumental, finishing the night with six kills on a .385 hitting percentage with two service aces and three blocks.

"This was a game that we could have probably fed Bellus more," Potts said. "She gets better the more she's fed. But I'm just proud of how she's growing some resiliency.

"The Air Force and Nevada attackers this weekend were really testing our block, and I think Bellus had to overcome some of that frustration and I thought she did."

The fourth set was the closest of the night, featuring 16 ties and multiple momentum swings.

GCU edged out a 26–24 win to take the match behind late kills from graduate middle blocker Hayden Goodman and freshman opposite/setter Bella Nunez.

Goodman's presence was particularly impactful, as she hit .800 with four kills and three total blocks while providing poise.

"I'm just so proud of Hayden coming in and giving us not just good positive touches and stops, but some calmness in her experience and in her voice," Potts said. "She really lets the girls feel good about resetting in between points. She was also clean offensively tonight. We didn't give her the ball a ton, but when we did, she was productive with it."

Despite the uneven first set, the Lopes controlled the match's final three frames with more efficient attacking and stronger defensive organization.

"Not all wins have to be beautiful, but you can still find a way whenever things aren't clicking throughout the night," Potts said.

The Lopes currently sit in a tie for fourth place with Boise State but due to the Boise head-to-head tiebreak, the Lopes sit in fifth with a two-match lead over Air Force and San Jose State who are currently tied for seventh. Only six teams make the tournament.

The Lopes focus turns to the final regular-season matches — at second-place Colorado State on Thursday and at third-place Wyoming on Saturday..

"We met Colorado State and Wyoming at the start of the regular season." Potts said. "I feel like we're a very different team now, and we know they're different too. Going five sets with Wyoming keeps us hungry. It's not hard to stay hungry at this time of the year. It's November and we're fighting for that conference playoff spot. We're focused, excited, and determined to play our best ball the last week of conference play."