Lopes Secure Stunning Victory at San José: Highlights from Grand Canyon University Athletics

San José, Calif. — Grand Canyon secured a 3–1 victory over San José State in a key Mountain West match on Thursday night at Spartan Gym. The Lopes showed their strength by hitting .235 as a team with a total of 60 kills on 166 attempts, while out-blocking the Spartans 11 to 6.

Freshman setter and opposite Bella Nunez was a standout, leading her team with 15 kills from 31 attempts and achieving a hitting percentage of .323. She also contributed 20 assists, 14 digs, two blocks, and an ace, totaling 17.5 points. This marks her fifth consecutive match with a triple-double.

Another key player was freshman middle blocker Aubrey Bellus, who kicked off the offense with 12 kills on 21 attempts, boasting a striking hitting percentage of .524 and four blocks. Junior libero Bella Anderson anchored the defense, recording a match-high 24 digs and adding seven assists.

The opening set saw the Spartans ahead 24-22. However, the Lopes came back, with kills by Anaelena Ramirez and Nunez keeping them in the game. Senior Ramirez ended the night with 13 kills, six digs, and four blocks, but the Spartans claimed the set 27-25.

The Lopes responded fiercely in the second set. Key contributions from sophomore middle blocker Aubrey Goodere and graduate outside Sophia Parlanti helped secure a close victory with the Lopes finishing strong.

Goodere finished with nine kills and three blocks, while Parlanti added eight kills. The third set marked GCU’s dominance, where they hit .424 and ended the set 25–18. In the fourth set, the Lopes maintained their efficiency and finished the match with a kill from Nunez, sealing a 25–20 victory.

This win improved Grand Canyon’s record to 12–8 overall and 4–5 in Mountain West play, while San José State fell to 9–11 with the same conference record. Sophomore setter Taylor Kubacak also made an impression, achieving a double-double with 26 assists and 16 digs. This victory is crucial for the Lopes since the two teams won’t face each other again this season, giving GCU an important tiebreaker.

Looking at recent trends, the Lopes’ performance aligns with a broader trend in collegiate volleyball where freshmen are increasingly being recognized for their impact on the game. According to a recent NCAA report, teams with strong freshman classes often report improved overall performance, something GCU is certainly experiencing this season.

In conclusion, as the competition heats up in the Mountain West, the Lopes are showing promise, leveraging their young talent for crucial victories. The team’s ability to perform under pressure could be vital as they continue their push for a strong finish this season.

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