GCU continues to work on building a culture

Thursday, OCT. 13
6 p.m. MST \| Antelope Gym \| Phoenix, Ariz.
SEATTLE REDHAWKS 9-9 (2-3 WAC)	at	GRAND CANYON LOPES 4-13 (0-5 WAC)
LIVE STATS \| LIVE VIDEO
	GCU
Saturday, OCT. 15
1 p.m. MST \| Antelope Gym\| Phoenix, Ariz.
UTAH VALLEY WOLVERINES 7-11 (3-2 WAC)	at	GRAND CANYON LOPES 4-13 (0-5 WAC)
LIVE STATS \| LIVE VIDEO

The Grand Canyon women's volleyball team is nearing the midway point of the conference season this week when it hosts Seattle and Utah Valley. While the Lopes are grinding out a tough season so far, GCU continues to improve and give opponents fits every week.

Freshman starting setter Heidi Carpenter is one of the leaders who has been on the court from the beginning, helping to lay the foundation for GCU women's volleyball from the present to years to come.

"We are not necessarily focusing on the wins and losses, but more on getting better," said Carpenter. "The coaching staff stresses that we either win, or we grow. We have had a lot of opportunities to grow and we are still developing the culture of always competing no matter who we are playing. We can always play our best and have that drive inside of us."

Since opening the year with two tournament victories in non-conference action, the Lopes have had to overcome a combination of tough bounces and season-ending injuries. For the most part, the Lopes have shown glimpses of what it can achieve. GCU served for set point against nationally ranked Santa Clara and on the road at California. The Lopes took a set off of Cal Poly who currently sits in third place in the strong Big West. In Western Athletic Conference action, GCU has come close in its five WAC matches, most recently last week in a pair of five-set matches on the road at Chicago State and UMKC.

While the wins and losses record for GCU may not show much, the Lopes continue to improve and are ready to start a 3-match home-stand which also includes the beginning of the second-half of WAC play.

"This year has to happen," said Carpenter. "You cannon have success without struggle. This year is a struggle, but it is going to lead to much more success in the years to come. We will continue to add good people to develop this culture."

GCU fans have plenty of chances to catch the Lopes battle every night, while continuing to build the culture of GCU women's volleyball. The Lopes play six of their final 10 matches at home, starting this week hosting Seattle (Thursday) and Utah Valley (Saturday).

Grand Canyon University Athletics

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Heidi Carpenter

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