Lopes season concludes in MW quarterfinals

Wednesday, November 26

Las Vegas, Nev.

2 p.m. (MST)

Grand Canyon

17-13,9-9Mountain West

(4) Boise State

20-10,11-7Mountain West

Grand Canyon

Boise St.

Photo by: Nathan Peters

11/26/2025 5:51:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

GCU falls to Boise State despite strong play from young core

By: Nathan Peters

LAS VEGAS — Grand Canyon fell in straight sets to Boise State on Wednesday in Las Vegas, 29–27, 25–22, 29–27, in the first Mountain West Championship competition in program history.

The Lopes posted 43 kills, 63 digs and 12 blocks while pushing the Broncos deep into each frame.

The team youth shined in the quarterfinal match Wednesday.

"Our underclassmen really carried us through some big points and big moments," GCU head coach Kendra Potts said.

In the opening set, the Lopes (17-13) established an early lead behind kills from freshman setter/opposite Bella Nunez. GCU maintained momentum with a series of defensive stops at the net. Nunez delivered multiple swings to regain sideouts and keep the set tied into extra points. GCU had three set points before Boise State (20-10) pulled ahead and clinched the set 29–27.

The second set opened with Boise State building a cushion, but GCU freshman middle blocker Aubrey Bellus powered an early-set response with three straight kills, followed by a Nunez block that cut the deficit to three.

Nunez continued orchestrating the offense with scoring swings and defensive touches, while GCU's block slowed the Broncos at the pins.

The Lopes closed the deficit to 24–22 before Boise State converted the final point for the 25–22 second-set decision and a 2-0 match lead.

Potts emphasized the value of competing in this setting.

"There's nothing that can replace experience," Potts said. "To be able to play in this environment and have this experience, I think it goes a long way for a hungrier spring, a more purposeful spring, because they understand what it's like."

The third set featured 16 ties and 10 lead changes, with Nunez and Bellus again central to the scoring rhythm.

The Lopes found a lead with a two-play run ona block from freshman Macey Hughes and sophomore Aubrey Goodere along with a Nunez service ace.

Four consecutive Lopes blocks went with a Nunez kill to send the Lopes to a 21-17 lead.

Boise State continued its resilience. The Broncos clawed back with five consecutive points, including a kill, an ace and three GCU attack errors.

GCU earned another set point when a Boise State service error put the Lopes ahead 24-23, but the Broncos fought that off to set up GCU having to face match points at 26-25 and 27-26. Kills by Goodere and Bellus kept the Lopes alive until Boise State closed out the match with a 29-27 third-set win.

"With us being so upset that we didn't find a way even to push it to four, being right there, I think there's a lot to be excited about while we're still sad that the season comes to an end," Potts said.

Nunez led the Lopes with 13 kills on .360 hitting, 18 assists, 13 digs and six block assists, while Bellus added nine kills on .333 hitting and a match-high nine block assists. GCU junior libero Bella Anderson totaled 13 digs while sophomore setter Taylor Kubacak and sophomore defensive specialist Hunter West combined for 20 assists and 16 digs.

For outside hitters Anaelena Ramirez and Sophia Parlanti and middle blocker Hayden Goodman, Wednesday's loss closed their collegiate careers after they helped set a bar for future GCU volleyball teams.