Gritty wins mark 1st day of Cactus Classic

Friday, February 28

Tucson, Ariz.

10 a.m.

Grand Canyon

Stetson

Photo by: Jack Gilday

2/28/2025 4:41:00 PM | Beach Volleyball

Lopes defeat Stetson, Arizona before facing Boise State, Arizona State on Saturday

By: Nathan Peters

TUCSON, Ariz. — The No. 18 Grand Canyon beach volleyball team continued its season with strong performances on the first road trip of the season, securing victories over No. 20 Stetson and host Arizona on Friday.

GCU opened play in Tucson with a convincing 4-1 win against Stetson, showcasing resilience in multiple three-set battles. The Lopes secured victories in four of five flights, with key performances from sophomore Becca Drake and junior Jessica Drake, who overcame a first-set loss to win 18-21, 21-18, 15-13. GCU sophomore Karynn Garrow and senior Sophia Hladyniuk secured a straight-set win, while Lopes senior Madi Bogle and sophomore Regan Holmer clinched their match in two sets.

In its next match, GCU swept host Arizona 5-0 for the second time in a week. The Lopes battled through three-set matches in four of the five flights, with three of the five being GCU losses in the opening set. The Lopes demonstrated grit and determination. Lopes junior Katie Keefe and sophomore Rhea Kohl won a thrilling match 18-21, 21-15, 15-11 in the 1s pair, while GCU sophomore Adrianna Ferro and freshman Ines Piret mounted a comeback to secure their victory as the 2s pair.

GCU will look to carry this momentum into Saturdya, whenthey face Boise State (10 a.m.) and No. 11 Arizona State (12 p.m.) in Tucson.

GCU 4, Stetson 1

Katie Keefe/Rhea Kohl (GCU) def. Katie Camp/Maria Ozaeta (STET) 21-18, 10-21, 16-14
Youna Coens/Grace Goudy (STET) def. Adriana Ferro/Ines Piret (GCU) 21-19, 12-21, 16-14
Becca Drake/Jessica Drake (GCU) def. Marta Carro/Julia Radelczuk (STET) 18-21, 21-18, 15-13
Karynn Garrow/Sophia Hladyniuk (GCU) def. Julia Czurylo/Madeline Camp (STET) 21-19, 21-12
Madi Bogle/Regan Holmer (GCU) def. Vanessa Hurnikova/Hanna Gubik (STET) 21-19, 21-14

GCU 5, Arizona 0

Katie Keefe/Rhea Kohl (GCU) def. Kylee Fitzsimmons/Brooke Bluetreich (ARIZ) 18-21, 21-15, 15-11
Adrianna Ferro/Ines Piret (GCU) def. Adri Nieves Papaleo/Kate Phillips (ARIZ) 10-21, 21-19, 15-12
Becca Drake/Jessica Drake (GCU) def. Ashlyn Zilliken/Madeline Walker (ARIZ) 14-21, 21-18, 15-12
Karynn Garrow/Sophia Hladyniuk (GCU) def. Annie Kost/Brooke Boyko (ARIZ) 21-11, 18-21, 15-8
Madi Bogle/Regan Holmer (GCU) def. Jamie Streit/Katie Lambeth (ARIZ) 21-18, 21-17