Lopes sweep East Texas A&M to stay unbeaten

Friday, September 5

Phoenix, Ariz.

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

4-0,0-0Mountain West

East Texas A&M

0-4,0-0Southland

East Texas A&M

Grand Canyon

Photo by: David Kadlubowski

9/5/2025 9:28:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score Photo Gallery

Potts showcases depth ahead of Saturday's Washington State match

By: Nathan Peters

Grand Canyon extended its unbeaten start to the 2025 season with a decisive sweep of East Texas A&M on Friday night at Global Credit Union Arena.

The Lopes (4-0) controlled the match from start to finish, winning by set scores of 25–11, 25–13, and 25–19 to open a season with four sweeps for the first time in GCU's 13-year Division I era. The Lopes had not opened any season wtih four consecutive sweeps since 1995.

Grand Canyon hit .363 as a team with 49 kills, led by senior outside hitter Anaelena Ramirez's 10 kills on a .391 clip to go with three digs and an ace.

Lopes sophomore middle blocker Aubrey Goodere added seven kills and a block, while graduate Sophia Parlanti and junior Sofia Österdahl chipped in six and seven kills, respectively, from the pins. Sophomore setter Taylor Kubacak directed the offense with 22 assists, while junior libero Bella Anderson added nine assists and a pair of aces. Defensively, sophomore Natalie Guerrero helped anchor the back row with 12 digs.

The Lopes opened fast and aggressive, with an early 11-0 run to jump ahead 16-5 in the first set.

The depth of the GCU roster was on display throughout the match.

"There are still some girls that we were wanting to get in and that kind of explains the depth we have because there's still some people I'm excited to see get out and play," GCU head coach Kendra Potts said. "What I'm pumped about is that it didn't change our focus. It didn't change the speed and even execution with which we want to play.

The Lopes showcased the debuts of freshman middle blocker Aubrey Bellus, freshman opposite Ana Jaramazovic, junior Anna Ruter and junior Briley Decker.

"I really liked how our girls just kept poise and were definitely still attacking the other side," Potts said.

That depth was highlighted by contributions across the board. Decker posted five kills and six assists.

"It was great to see Briley show both offense and her ability to run the offense, and to have two setters that are capable of doing that," Potts said. "With Nunez and Briley, I don't think I've ever had that on a roster."

GCU junior middle blocker Anna Ruter entered late and provided balance and steadiness, while Bellus flashed her athleticism with four kills on .667 hitting.

"It's all about the depth," Potts said. "It's a long season. It takes every single person on the roster and so tonight was really great to see that depth be able to shine."

The Lopes now turn their attention to a highly anticipated 6 p.m. Saturday matchup against Washington State, which defeated Northern Arizona in four sets earlier Friday.

"We haven't been looking ahead to this match, but we know this match has been on our schedule, and so we've been winning the day that we're in," Potts said. "But I think we're very excited to be in tomorrow and focus on them."

"They (the Cougars) are a great team. They've got some middles that we haven't got to defend yet this season, so I think that's going to be a great test for us. It's going to be a lot of fun volleyball out there."