Lopes split second day of mid-season rumble

Saturday, March 8

Stanford, Calif.

9 a.m.

Grand Canyon

Oregon

Photo by: Jack Gilday

3/8/2025 3:52:00 PM | Beach Volleyball

GCU sweeps the Ducks despite being banged up

By: Nathan Peters

STANFORD, Calif. — The No. 16 Grand Canyon beach volleyball team split Saturday's action at the MPSF Mid-Season Rumble, sweeping Oregon 5-0 before falling 5-0 to No. 1 UCLA.

GCU started the day strong with a dominant performance against Oregon, winning all five flights. The Lopes secured hard-fought three-set victories in Flights 1, 2, 4, and 5, while Rhea Kohl and Ines Piret cruised to a straight-set win (21-18, 21-6) in Flight 3. Katie Keefe and Adriana Ferro showed resilience in the top flight, fighting off five match points in the second set to force a decisive third. Tied at 5-5 in the final frame, the Lopes surged ahead with a 5-0 run to take control before sealing an 18-21, 24-22, 15-11 victory.

In Flight 2, Karynn Garrow and Sophia Hladyniuk finished strong, closing out the third set on a 5-0 run to claim a 21-18, 15-21, 15-8 win. Meanwhile, Becca Drake and substitute Michael Wittren stormed out to a 5-0 lead in their deciding set and held on for a 20-22, 21-17, 15-9 triumph in Flight 5.

In the afternoon match, GCU faced a tough test against first-ranked UCLA. The Bruins controlled the dual, sweeping all five flights. The closest battle came in Flight 1, where Keefe and substitute Sarah Edler pushed their opponents to a third set before ultimately falling 21-11, 21-23, 15-9. Despite the setback, the Lopes showed flashes of excellence and will next head to San Louis Obisbo, California for a tournament on March 15-16.

GCU 5, Oregon 0
Katie Keefe/Adriana Ferro (GCU) def. Bella Gamache/Ella Tyus (ORE) 18-21, 24-22, 15-11
Karynn Garrow/Sophia Hladyniuk (GCU) def. AJ Slojkowski/Landree Coats (ORE) 21-18, 15-21, 15-8
Rhea Kohl/Ines Piret (GCU) def. Alex Kriz/Gwen Fife (ORE) 21-18, 21-6
Madi Bogle/Regan Holmer (GCU) def. Skylar Kelly/Hanna Bjornson (ORE) 19-21, 21-9, 15-7
Becca Drake/Michael Wittren (GCU) def. Kamilah Checani/Isabel Patterson (ORE) 20-22, 21-17, 15-9

UCLA 5, GCU 0
Sally Perez/Maggie Boyd (UCLA) def. Katie Keefe/Sarah Edler (GCU) 21-11, 21-23, 15-9
Peri Brennan/Natalie Myszkowski (UCLA) def. Karynn Garrow/Sophia Hladyniuk (GCU) 21-14, 21-11
Kenzie Brower/Ensley Alden (UCLA) def. Rhea Kohl/Ines Piret (GCU) 21-17, 21-11
Alexa Fernandez/Kaley Mathews (UCLA) def. Madi Bogle/Regan Holmer (GCU) 21-11, 21-18
Sophie Moore/Harper Cooper (UCLA) def. Becca Drake/Michael Wittren (GCU) 21-17, 21-13