GCU splits a WAC doubleheader in Texas

Friday, April 4

Dallas, Texas

11 a.m.

Grand Canyon

Tarleton State

4/5/2025 5:28:00 PM | Women's Tennis

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Both matches come down to final courts

By: Braden Dohrmann

Grand Canyon split a competitive pair of matches in Texas against conference opponents Tarleton State and Abilene Christian.

The Lopes went to the final court in their loss against the Titans and their victory over the Wildcats.

GCU loses 4-3 to Tarleton State

Grand Canyon fought hard but came up short in a tight 4-3 loss to Tarleton State on Friday at Styslinger-Altec Tennis Complex in Dallas.

Due to weather, the match was moved indoors at SMU.

The Lopes got off to a strong start in doubles play, securing the first point of the match. GCU freshman Karina Hofbauer and sophomore Gala Arangio won convincingly on Court 1, defeating Noelia Lorca and Ximena Morales 6-3. Lopes junior Dania Deaifi and freshman Bella Crossman followed with a dominant 6-0 victory on Court 2 to clinch the doubles point. Tarleton State managed to take Court 3, as Maria Castano and Clara Sobius edged out senior Valentina Del Marco and freshman Angelina Mihajlovic 6-4.

In singles, GCU looked to carry its momentum but faced a strong response from Tarleton State. Hofbauer picked up a solid 7-5, 6-2 win over Emma Persson on Court 1, while Crossman added another point with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Lorca on Court 3. However, Tarleton State claimed the remaining four matches to secure the team win. Duru Kuscu defeated Arangio 6-1, 6-2 on Court 2, and Morales took down Deaifi 7-5, 6-3 on Court 4. The decisive blow came on Courts 5 and 6, where Castano rallied to beat Mihajlovic 3-6, 6-2, 6-0, and Adeliya Mukhutdinova sealed the match with a 6-2, 6-4 win over GCU freshman Peyton Duckett.

GCU beats Abilene Christian 4-3

Grand Canyon (11-8) secured a hard-fought, 4-3 victory over Abilene Christian (4-11) on Saturday at Teague Special Events Center in Abilene, Texas.

The Lopes started strong in doubles play, capturing the opening point with wins on Courts 1 and 2. Hofbauer and Arangio took down Masha Vrsalovic and Alice Klinteby 6-4 on the top court, while Deaifi and Crossman clinched the doubles point with a 6-3 victory on Court 2. ACU salvaged a win on Court 3, where Maria Cascos and Olivia Sears defeated Mihajlovic and Del Marco 6-3.

In singles, GCU found itself in a tight battle. Crossman dominated on Court 3, cruising past Angela Del Campo 6-1, 6-0. Mihajlovic added another point with a solid 6-4, 6-1 win on Court 5, but ACU responded with wins on Courts 1 and 2, as Vrsalovic and Sears defeated Hofbauer and Arangio, respectively.

With the match tied at 3-3, it all came down to Court 6. Duckett delivered in a dramatic three-set thriller, rallying from a set down to defeat Eva Arranz 4-6, 6-4, 7-5, sealing the victory for GCU.

The Lopes head to Northern California next weekend for their final two regular-season matches before the WAC Tournament, which is April 17-19 in Arlington, Texas.