Lopes show playoff level in 5-set loss at Wyoming

Saturday, November 22

Laramie, Wyo.

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

17-12,9-9Mountain West

Wyoming

17-12,13-5Mountain West

Grand Canyon

Wyoming

11/22/2025 10:14:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score MW Championship bracket

GCU preps for MW quarterfinal vs. Boise State after Goodere's career-high 18 kills

By: Nathan Peters

LARAMIE, Wyo. — Grand Canyon pushed Wyoming to five sets on Saturday night on the road but came up just short in the Cowgirls' 25-21, 19-25, 25-10, 19-25, 18-16 win.

Even though the regular-season finale had no implications on the Mountain West Championship's seeding, the Lopes played postseason-level volleyball Saturday night to ready themselves for their Mountain West Championship debut. No. 5 seed GCU will play a quarterfinal against No. 4 seed Boise State in Las Vegas at 2 p.m. (Phoenix time).

The Lopes (17-12, 9-9 MW) received strong performances Saturday across the lineup, highlighted by sophomore middle blocker Aubrey Goodere's efficient outing (a career-high 18 kills, .471 hitting and seven blocks) and a steady all-around effort from freshman setter/opposite Bella Nunez (12 kills, 24 assists and 17 digs).

GCU senior outside hitter Anaelena Ramirez tied Goodere for the team lead in kills with 18 while junior libero Bella Anderson anchored the back row with a team-high 23 digs, just one short of her career best.

Lopes freshman middle Aubrey Bellus contributed 12 kills, two blocks and two service aces.

Grand Canyon opened the match with a competitive first set in which Goodere established her offensive rhythm early, putting down multiple swings as GCU trailed Wyoming 10-9 in the first frame.

Ramirez added timely kills on the pin while Anderson stabilized serve receive, but a late Wyoming push created separation in the closing rallies as the Cowgirls claimed the 25–21 opener.

In the second set, the Lopes responded with one of their most balanced stretches of the night. Nunez and sophomore setter Taylor Kubacak distributed effectively, mixing balls to Goodere, Ramirez and Bellus.

A mid-set service run, including an ace from Bellus, helped GCU take control and eventually evened the match with a 25–19 win.

The third set unfolded as a defensive battle, with Anderson's back-row coverage helping extend rallies and Nunez producing multiple digs in transition.

Despite multiple kills from freshman opposite Macey Hughes, Wyoming capitalized on a mid-set run to take the frame 25–19 and lead the match 2-1.

In the fourth set, Bellus and Nunez produced two kills early to spark momentum, while graduate outside hitter Sophia Parlanti, Ramirez and Goodere combined for a surge that pushed GCU ahead.

The Lopes pulled away down the stretch for a 25–19 victory to force a decisive fifth set.

The final set was a tightly contested race to the finish.

Kubacak dished the first six assists to get GCU in striking position as Wyoming led 7-6.

Ramirez and Hughes delivered back-to-back kills on the tail end of three consecutive Cowgirls attack errors, giving the Lopes a 14-9 lead.

Wyoming surged back despite some questionable calls. Nunez was called for reaching over the plane to attempt a set after the Lopes serve receive on one of six match points.

When the Cowgirls earned a match point, Nunez swung on a ball that was called out but was challenged by GCU. The officials upheld the court ruling to give the win to third-place Wyoming.

GCU turns its attention to a Wednesday quarterfinal against Boise State, which it has not played since the conference opener on Sept. 25 in Phoenix. The Lopes and Broncos only played once this season with Boise State winning that four-set match despite a triple-double from Nunez. The GCU-Boise State winner will play No. 1 seed Utah State in a Friday semifinal at 2 p.m. (Phoenix time).