In a historic match for Grand Canyon University, the Lopes fell to Boise State in straight sets during the first Mountain West tournament competition, held in Las Vegas, with scores of 29–27, 25–22, and 29–27. Despite the loss, this performance marked a significant milestone for the program, showcasing the talent and potential of its young roster.
The Lopes demonstrated resilience throughout the match, registering 43 kills, 63 digs, and 12 blocks. Underclassmen played a pivotal role, particularly during critical moments. GCU head coach Kendra Potts praised her team’s youth, noting how they stepped up during intense points. “Our underclassmen really carried us through some big points and big moments,” Potts said, highlighting the growth and promise of her players.
The opening set saw GCU take an early lead, largely thanks to the efforts of freshman setter/opposite Bella Nunez, who delivered multiple crucial swings. The Lopes maintained their momentum with solid defensive plays at the net, but after reaching three set-points, they ultimately fell to Boise State as the Broncos took the set 29–27.
In the second set, Boise State initially built a lead, but Aubrey Bellus, a freshman middle blocker, responded with three consecutive kills, closing the gap. Nunez continued to run the offense effectively, making pivotal plays that kept the Lopes competitive. However, despite a valiant effort, GCU lost the second set 25–22 after fighting back to get within two points.
The final set was a tightly contested battle, with 16 ties and 10 lead changes. GCU managed to take a 21–17 lead at one point thanks to a combination of strong blocking and a service ace from Nunez. However, Boise State rallied back, resulting in another tight finish where the Lopes fell 29–27.
Potts reflected on the significance of this experience for her young team, expressing that the opportunity to compete at this level would serve them well in future seasons. “There’s nothing that can replace experience,” she emphasized. “To be able to play in this environment and have this experience, I think it goes a long way for a hungrier spring, a more purposeful spring, because they understand what it’s like.”
Though disappointed by the loss, the Lopes have much to take away from this intense competition, as they look ahead to building on this experience in the upcoming spring season. The future appears bright for GCU, fueled by the potential of its emerging talent.