March 6, 2016

PHOENIX – The 17th-ranked South Carolina beach volleyball team fell short of closing out the weekend in Arizona with a win as No. 15 Grand Canyon edged the Gamecocks 4-1 on Sunday.

With the loss, Carolina falls to 3-2 on the season and Grand Canyon improves to 4-1.

The Lopes took a 1-0 lead with a win in the No. 4 pairs match. Erin Neuenfeldt and Delaney Wood battled but dropped the first set 22-20 and lost 21-15 in the second set to Kami Dickerson and Jordyn Sanchez.

In the No. 5 pairs match, GCU’s Rebecca Conrad and Chloe Jenkins gave Grand Canyon a 2-0 cushion as they defeated Jade Vitt and Katie McCormick by the scores of 21-17, 19-21, 15-8.

Macie Tendrich and Katie Reilly earned the lone point for Carolina with a 20-22, 21-19, 17-15 win over Emilee Erichsen and Brooke Razo on the No. 3 court.

Molly Turner and Aleksandra Wachowicz topped Sarah Blomgren and Aubrey Ezell 21-12, 21-16 at No. 2 to secure the win for the Lopes. The Gamecocks’ top pair of Julia Mannisto and Shannon Williams fell 21-12, 21-18 to Mackenzie Phelps and Shannon Dugan to end the day.

In the exhibition match, Litsa Darby and Darian Dozier downed Brandy Grant and Maggie DeMore 21-11, 21-16.

The Gamecocks return home to host the Gamecock Challenge March 12-13. South Carolina will face Mercer at 11 a.m. and Tulane at 5 p.m. on Saturday and UAB at 11 a.m. and Coastal Carolina at 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Dual Results
No. 15 Grand Canyon 4, No. 17 South Carolina 1
No. 1: Mackenzie Phelps/Shannon Dugan (GCU) def. Julia Mannisto/Shannon Williams 21-12, 21-18
No. 2: Molly Turner/Aleksandra Wachowicz (GCU) def. Sarah Blomgren/Aubrey Ezell 21-12, 21-16
No. 3: Katie Reilly/Macie Tendrich (SC) def. Emilee Enrichsen/Brooke Razo (GCU) 20-22, 21-19, 17-15
No. 4: Kami Dickerson/Jordyn Sanchez (GCU) def. Erin Neuenfeldt/Delaney Wood (SC) 22-20, 21-15
No. 5: Rebecca Conrad/Chloe Jenkins (GCU) def. Jade Vitt/Katie McCormick (SC) 21-17, 19-21, 15-8
Exh.: Litsa Darby/Darian Dozier (SC) def. Brandy Grant/Maggie DeMore (GCU) 21-11, 21-16