Win vs. LSU extends Lopes before USC ends MPSF run

Thursday, April 23

Huntington Beach, Calif.

11:30 a.m.

Grand Canyon

(7) LSU

Photo by: Nathan Peters

4/23/2026 4:49:00 PM | Beach Volleyball

GCU records 2nd win over Tigers this season, turns focus toward Selection Sunday

By: Nathan Peters

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — No. 11 Grand Canyon opened Thursday's Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championship elimination play with a 3-1 victory over No. 13 LSU at Spiker Beach Courts but was eliminated later Thursday with a 3-1 loss to No. 5 USC.

Grand Canyon (19-15) secured its second win over LSU this season behind strong performances across the middle and lower flights, clinching the dual with wins on Courts 5, 3 and 4. The victory is an important part of the Lopes' NCAA Tournament resume with GCU vying for one of eight at-large berths in the 16-team field, which will be unveiled by a 10 a.m. Sunday show on NCAA.com.

Lopes freshman Jordyn Decker and sophomore Youna Coens got the Lopes on the board first against LSU with a 21-19, 21-17 victory on Court 5, setting the tone for the dual match.

LSU answered at Court 2, but GCU quickly regained control behind junior Rhea Kohl and sophomore Mae Manthe, who earned a 21-19, 21-19 sweep on Court 3 to give the Lopes a 2-1 lead.

The clinching point came from senior Jessica Drake and junior Isabelle Tucker, as the Court 4 pair posted a 21-14, 21-17 win to secure the dual victory.

The top flight of juniors Karynn Garrow and Becca Drake was left unfinished in a tightly contested three-set match at the time of the clinch.

In the afternoon elimination match, the Trojans claimed victories on Courts 2, 5 and 1 to secure the dual, while Kohl and Manthe provided the Lopes' lone point with a 21-16, 21-13 win on Court 3.

Court 4's match featuring Drake and Tucker went unfinished.

With the win over LSU, Grand Canyon moved one step closer to a return trip to Gulf Shores, Alabama, aiming for its first appearance at the NCAA Championship since 2023.

GCU owns wins over LSU and ASU, making the Lopes the only team among the trio of bubble candidates with wins over both of the other two programs. The Lopes' victory over LSU at the MPSF Championship added a postseason head-to-head result to their résumé, while GCU also sits ahead of LSU and ASU in the AVCA coaches poll.

The NCAA Tournament selection show takes place Sunday at 10 am (Phoenix time). The tourney runs May 1-3.