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 potential NCAA berth

By: Nathan Peters

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — No. 11 Grand Canyon opened Thursday's elimination play with a 3-1 victory over No. 13 LSU at Spiker Beach Courts, marking the first of two matches on the day for the Lopes in the conference tournament.

Grand Canyon secured its second win over LSU this season behind strong performances across the middle and lower flights, clinching the dual with wins at pairs 5, 3 and 4.

Freshman Jordyn Decker and sophomore Youna Coens got the Lopes on the board first with a straight-sets victory (21-19, 21-17) at pair 5, setting the tone in the order of finish.

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

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

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, Grand Canyon fell 3-1 to No. 5 USC to close its run at the MPSF Championships.

The Trojans claimed victories at pairs 2, 5 and 1 to secure the dual, while Kohl and Manthe provided the Lopes' lone point with a 21-16, 21-13 win at pair 3.

The match at pair 4 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 Beach Volleyball Championship since 2023.

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

The NCAA selection show takes place Sunday at 10 am (Phoenix time). 16 teams will be selected with eight at-large bids available.