Williams powers Senior Day sweep as Lopes win 6th straight

Saturday, November 7

Phoenix, Ariz.

11:30 a.m.

Grand Canyon

15-10,9-5Mountain West

San José State

7-18,2-12Mountain West

Team	1	2	3	Final F
San Jose St.	10	10	20	0
Grand Canyon	25	25	25	3

Photo by: Presley Burdick

11/7/2026 5:17:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

GCU moves into 2nd place in Mountain West with dominant 3-set victory

By: Nathan Peters

Grand Canyon volleyball celebrated Senior Day with its sixth consecutive victory Saturday, sweeping San José State 25-10, 25-10, 25-20 at Global Credit Union Arena to move into second place in the Mountain West standings.

The Lopes improved to 15-10 overall and 9-5 in conference play with their longest winning streak of the Kendra Potts coaching era and the program's longest since 2023. GCU sits second in the Mountain West entering Sunday, when UTEP and UC Davis meet with one set to join the Lopes at 9-5.

GCU recognized senior outside hitter Ali Wiest, fifth-year outside hitter Starr Williams, senior libero Bella Anderson and senior outside hitter Katie Schulz as part of Senior Day.

"It's their leadership, it's their patience, it's their trust," head coach Kendra Potts said. "And honestly, the legacy that they're leaving right now for all the returners to be able to see how it's done with grace and patience, but also just determination. I'm so proud of this group."

Williams delivered the biggest offensive performance of the group, leading the Lopes with 16 kills while committing only three errors on 29 swings for a .448 hitting percentage. She also contributed four blocks.

Williams said her approach is to stay focused on the immediate task rather than allowing previous or future plays to affect her.

"I just focus on one thing at a time," Williams said. "I kind of tell myself, like Dory from Nemo, 'Just keep swimming.' The next play is out of my mind, so just focus on the next thing ahead."

Sophomore middle blocker Aubrey Bellus added eight kills without an attack error, hitting .533 while recording a team-high five blocks. Schulz finished with six kills and five digs.

GCU controlled the match in nearly every phase, hitting .309 while holding San José State to .000. The Spartans finished with 20 kills and 20 attack errors on 88 attempts.

The Lopes also continued to create pressure from the service line with nine aces. Sophomore setter Bella Nunez led the effort with four aces to go with 16 assists and six digs, while Anderson and junior setter Taylor Kubacak added two aces apiece.

Freshman libero Nika Zupanic led GCU with 11 digs as the Lopes finished with 42 to San José State's 35. GCU also held a 9-4 advantage in blocks.

Potts credited the complete roster for the performance, pointing to the work that went into preparing for the match.

"We talk about our 1/20 all the time. Every single piece matters," Potts said. "Even for those that didn't get in, they have everything to do with the prep from today, what we've worked on yesterday. Everybody has a piece of this win."

After the teams opened the first set tied at 2, GCU quickly took control.

Zupanic served during a seven-point run that pushed the Lopes ahead 9-2, with Williams and Bellus contributing kills and combining on blocks. GCU continued separating behind Nunez's serving and balanced offense before Anderson delivered consecutive aces as the lead grew to 20-6.

Williams closed the 25-10 opening set with her fifth kill as GCU hit .500 with 13 kills and only two attack errors. The Lopes held San José State to minus-.045 hitting.

GCU was even more dominant early in the second.

After San José State tied the set at 1, the Lopes scored nine consecutive points to build an 11-1 advantage. Williams was the focal point during the run with five kills as GCU immediately put the Spartans under pressure.

Bellus continued the efficient attack, while the Lopes' block helped keep San José State from finding any rhythm. GCU extended its advantage to 21-8 before closing another 25-10 set on a Nunez ace.

San José State hit minus-.107 in the second, recording four kills against seven errors.

The Spartans responded with their strongest stretch in the third and opened a 3-0 lead before GCU worked its way back.

Nunez helped erase the early deficit with two aces as the Lopes moved ahead 5-4. The set remained tighter than the first two, but GCU gradually created separation and took a 19-14 advantage.

San José State cut the margin to 19-17, but the Lopes answered. Williams and Bellus supplied late kills before GCU closed the 25-20 victory to complete its second consecutive sweep and sixth straight win.

For Anderson, the afternoon carried extra meaning after four seasons playing inside Global Credit Union Arena.

"The team has just made us feel so celebrated," Anderson said. "I've just loved this last season, and this group of girls has just meant everything to me."

Schulz said the Senior Day celebration would be followed quickly by a return to work as the Lopes continue their push toward the postseason.

"It's back to work right on Monday," Schulz said. "Whether that's in the weight room, whether that's in practice, and then again with setter-hitter connection, serve and pass and stuff."

The Lopes host UTEP on Nov. 12 and Nov. 14 in the final home weekend of the season.