GCU sweeps Milwaukee in Friday match at ASU

Friday, September 19

Tempe, Ariz.

3 p.m.

Grand Canyon

8-2,0-0Mountain West

Milwaukee

0-11,0-0Horizon

Milwaukee

Grand Canyon

Photo by: David Kadlubowski

9/19/2025 5:30:00 PM | Volleyball

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Goodman's .750 hitting, Goodere's 7 kills lead Lopes

By: Nathan Peters

TEMPE, Ariz. – Grand Canyon controlled Friday's match against Milwaukee from start to finish in a 25-20, 25-16, 25-18 sweep at Desert Financial Arena.

The victory lifted the Lopes to 8-2 as they near closing out their nonconference slate with authority.

Grand Canyon was balanced offensively, hitting .318 as a team with 38 kills to win for the second time in two days at the Sun Devil Classic.

Graduate middle blocker Hayden Goodman led the GCU charge with nine kills on 12 swings for a .750 hitting percentage while also adding five blocks and three service aces.

Lopes senior outside hitter Anaelena Ramirez chipped in 10 kills and three digs, while sophomore middle blocker Aubrey Goodere finished with seven kills at a .545 clip.

GCU head coach Kendra Potts pointed to the team's growth in the middle as a key factor in the sweep.

"The goal this week was to get middles more active and established and we have done that the last two matches," Potts said. "Our block has had a good presence. (Sophomore setter) Taylor (Kubacak) distributed it well and is trying to create seams for the hitters, who were pretty clean."

Kubacak distributed 20 assists and contributed two aces to keep the offense in rhythm.

The Lopes' serving and defense set the tone. GCU tallied eight aces, highlighted by Goodman and junior libero Bella Anderson with three each.

Anderson also steadied the back row with seven digs, while freshman setter/opposite Bella Nunez paced the defense with eight digs and three blocks.

GCU created separation in each set with timely runs.

In the opener, the Lopes used a 6-1 stretch to turn a 14-14 tie into a 20-15 advantage, capped by consecutive Milwaukee errors at the net.

The second set was broken open midway when Goodman stepped to the service line, delivering an ace during a 7-1 run that pushed the lead to 20-12.

The third set saw the Lopes reel off six of seven points late to put the lead to 22-14 before a Goodman ace eventually closed the match.

The Lopes will face No. 8 Arizona State, the event host, at 5 p.m. Saturday to close out nonconference play.

"Tomorrow is an exciting match to close the preseason schedule. The buildup to get from the beginning of the year to now is exactly where we want it to be. It's gonna be a fun match."