Grand Canyon posts two wins at Red-Blue Invite in Tucson

Friday, February 20

Tucson, Ariz.

9:00 AM

Grand Canyon

Oregon

Photo by: Tyler Killgore

Grand Canyon posts two wins at Red-Blue Invite in Tucson

2/23/2026 12:11:00 PM | Women's Tennis

Lopes secure wins against Tulsa and a strong Oregon team, fall to ranked Texas Tech

By: Tyler Killgore

TUCSON, Ariz. - GCU headed to Tucson this past weekend to take on premier competition in the Red-Blue Invite.

The Lopes started the weekend with a great win against Oregon defeating them 4-2. They then lost to the 32nd ranked team in the nation Texas Tech before finishing off the weekend with a 4-0 win against Tulsa.

Lopes defeat Oregon 4-2.

GCU started off the weekend with a bang by taking down a competitive Oregon team.

After dropping the doubles point and a rain delay, the Lopes came back in singles to get yet another comeback win for this squad.

After losing on Court 6 and going down 2-0, sophomore Gala Arangio had a decisive win against Patsy Daughters 6-3, 6-3.

Freshman Hams Metwally took care of business on Court 3. The Egypt native won 6-0, 7-6 (tiebreaker 8-6) extending her win streak in singles to four games.

With the match now at 2-2 sophomore Bella Crossman picked up on the momentum, winning in her Court 1 debut 6-0, 1-6, 6-4.

Freshman Amaliu Suciu finished the job for GCU on Court 5. After dropping the first set 1-6 she came back to win the next two 7-6 (tiebreaker 7-2), and 6-1. With this win the Lopes clinched the match leaving Court 2 unfinished.

Lopes sweep Tulsa 4-0.

In their last match of the Red-Blue Invite, GCU went on to dominate the Hurricanes.
Starting out on Court 1, Crossman defeated Maria Santos 6-1 in the first set and 6-4 in the second getting the scoring started.

Sophomore Karina Hofbauer was then able to get the next point for GCU. After going down 4-6 in the first set, Hofbauer went on to control the rest of the match easily winning 6-0, 6-2.

After nearly defeating a top ranked opponent last weekend in Alabama, Suciu was able to pick up the singles win against Uta Asakura 6-2, 6-3.

With just one more point needed to clinch, senior Dani Deaifi clinched the match on Court 5. She defeated Erin McKenzie 6-4 in the first set before almost sweeping 6-1 in the final set.

"Collectively we competed very well this weekend, we have seen a step up in belief and confidence after pushing fourth ranked Auburn last weekend and 32nd ranked Texas tech this weekend." Said GCU head coach Dane Vorster, "We were tough in key moments and comebacks to close out wins over Oregon and Tulsa regardless of rain and match delays in between."

"Together we keep raising the bar and improving our tennis. 60th in the nation ranking is just the beginning and a small testament to our focus, professionalism and hard work paying off. We continue to focus on the process and our goal of becoming a top 30 team." Said Vorster

The Lopes come back to play at home for the first time since January 19th where they will face Saint Mary's on Saturday at 11:00 AM.