Powered by a six-point 4^th-quarter finish, the Grand Canyon University Club STUNT team opened its spring season in impressive fashion with an 11-1 victory over Park University Gilbert as part of the Arizona State University STUNT Tournament in Tempe Saturday. The Lopes settled for a .500 tournament as they lost to George Fox University (Oregon), 12-3, Saturday night. It's the second time in four years that the Lopes have posted a win on their opening weekend in Tempe.
 
While the Lopes never had a comfortable lead until the final quarter against Park, they never came close to trailing, scoring four points in the first half on partner stunts, pyramids and tosses. In the 3^rd quarter, the Buccaneers got on the scoreboard in jumps and tumbling, but the Lopes' adjustments to the jumps and tumbling lineup after that helped them run away with it in the final frame.
 
"The win gave the team a huge confidence boos - especially for a group with many rookies," said Lopes' Head Coach Alex Messana. "It validated their training, helped them settle early-season nerves, and showed them they can compete and win at this level. That momentum is important as they continue to grow and face tougher competition."
 
That competition ramped up just a couple of hours later as GFU turned the tables in the nightcap, shutting out the Lopes until the 4^th quarter. The Lopes still had an outside chance to pull off the upset of Division III's top-ranked squad in the College STUNT Preseason Rankings, scoring their only three points of the match in the final quarter, but the Bruins outdueled them with a seven-point finish.
 
"Facing a high-level program like George Fox showed the team the importance of consistency, mental focus, and composure under pressure," said Lopes' Head Coach Alex Messana. "They saw firsthand how small mistakes can impact scoring and how elite teams stay calm and execute. It was a valuable learning experience that highlighted the level of discipline and precision needed to compete at the top."
 
The second week of the season will feature even tougher matchups as the Lopes head west to Fullerton, California to participate in the Hope International University Tournament this Friday and Saturday, February 6 and 7. The Lopes will face Northwest Nazarene University to kick off the tournament Friday at noon before facing the 6^th-ranked team in Division II, Vanguard University, to cap off Day 1, then will face the host Royals – the top-ranked NAIA team in the polls – and University of California Davis on the second day before heading home.