Rebounding from losing its first two matches of the weekend, the Grand Canyon University Men's Club Volleyball team rallied on Day 2 of the Southern California Collegiate Volleyball League West Region Challenge, winning two bracket-play matches before being eliminated by Arizona State University's 'B' team in three sets in the Silver Bracket Semifinals Sunday afternoon. The Lopes were one of just five non-California squads to take part in the 24-team event in Irvine, California.
 
It appeared Saturday morning as if the Lopes might be heading home early, since they started the tournament with consecutive pool-play losses to San Diego State University 'A' team in straight sets and ASU 'B' in three. GCU's final pool-play match finally got them kickstarted with a 25-18, 22-25, 15-11 victory over Colorado Mesa University's 'A' team before ending Day 1 in the crossover bracket with a straight-set loss to Boise State University.
 
Day 2 was a completely different story as the Lopes breezed through bracket pool play with straight-set wins over Cal Poly Pomona (25-13, 25-12) and California State University San Marcos (25-19, 25-14), dropping both of those teams into the Bronze Bracket while ascending to the Silver level themselves. Awaiting the Lopes in the quarterfinal round was the Sun Devils again, and the motivation for revenge got GCU off to a better start this time around with a 25-23 win in Set 1. Unfortunately, that was the last set the Lopes won on the weekend, falling to the Sun Devils in the final two sets, 25-17 and 15-13 to be eliminated.
 
Heading to the event over the weekend wasn't just for the Lopes to stay fresh. It was also a way to get a sneak peek at what the journey will look like in two weeks when they head right back to Irvine for the 2024 SCCVL Conference Championships April 6 and 7. Brackets and matchups will be announced in the coming days.