San Luis Obispo, Calif. – Grand Canyon University (GCU) showcased their skills this weekend, kicking things off with a 4-1 win over UC Davis at the Swanson Beach Volleyball Complex. Despite starting behind, the team rallied for four straight victories.
Junior Karynn Garrow reached a personal milestone with her 50th career win, just shy of breaking into GCU’s top-10 leaderboard for most wins, currently held by Krista Rowan at 55 wins.
UC Davis got the first point on Court 4, but GCU quickly retaliated on Court 5. Jessica Drake and Jordyn Decker secured a win against Ava Berard and Kirra Martin, leveling the match at 1-1.
The Lopes then took control. Karynn Garrow and Becca Drake won convincingly on Court 1, followed by Katie Keefe and Sarah Edler, who clinched the match with a tight win on Court 2. Rhea Kohl and Mae Manthe finished the dual with a strong victory on Court 3. The order of finish was 4, 5, 1, 2, 3.
Later, GCU completed a sweep over CSUN, winning all matches with a focus on comebacks. Rhea Kohl and Mae Manthe began the match with a solid win on Court 3, maintaining momentum as Youna Coens and Grace Goudy prevailed on Court 5.
The dual was clinched on Court 2 by Katie Keefe and Sarah Edler, who battled back from a set down to secure their win. Karynn Garrow and Becca Drake also made a comeback on Court 1, while Jessica Drake and Jordyn Decker closed the dual with a hard-fought win on Court 4. The order of finish here was 3, 5, 2, 1, 4.
This success sets the stage for GCU as they prepare for matches against highly ranked teams in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. They’ll face off against Florida State, LSU, Georgia State, and Texas over the weekend. This competition will be crucial for their rankings and confidence moving forward.
Beach volleyball continues to grow in popularity. According to the American Sports Data, participation in beach volleyball increased by 20% over the last five years. It’s a sport that fosters teamwork and boosts physical fitness, making it appealing to athletes and fans alike. With GCU on the rise, expect even more excitement as they tackle tougher teams and work toward their goals.
