Grand Canyon's boys volleyball team accomplished what no other sport in the school's history has been able to accomplish. Ranked No. 1 in the nation for the first time in his 11-year history as an NCAA Division I school.
Last year's team, which had a breakout season earning one of seven NCAA Tournament berths, went 13-0 under coach Matt Ware and was recognized by the American Volleyball Coaches Association/National Volleyball Association. took the top spot in the US this week.
“This is a great accomplishment for the program and something very special,” Werle said. “We are definitely very proud of our players.”
GCU is about halfway through this season. Lopez, who has strong support from Havox, has been on the road the past two weeks and is 4-0, dropping only one set to No. 6 BYU and No. 10 USC.
It surpassed Long Beach State to take the top spot in the nation.
This is Werle's ninth season leading the program. Last year, GCU had its winningest season, winning 22 games and qualifying for the national tournament, but lost to Long Beach State.
Former Phoenix Sandra Day O'Connor standout Jackson Hickman earned National Volleyball Coaches Association honors. He's back and helping lead this team to historic records.
See list:Republic's 2023-24 All-Arizona Girls High School Volleyball Team, Coach of the Year Award
“It started last year,” Werle said. “We made it to the NCAA Tournament last year for the first time in program history, which in itself is a pretty remarkable feat because only seven teams made it to the NCAA Tournament last year. It was definitely great to be one of the teams.'' It's a special moment for us. ”
Being ranked number one puts even more pressure on you. However, Werle believes his team can handle it and returns all but two starters from last year's team. Expectations were even higher this year.
“We have the confidence to say, 'Hey, we can do this,'” Werle said. “We got to that stage and performed at a high level.”
Before last year's breakthrough, Lopez's biggest win came in 2021 when he upset No. 1 BYU.
GCU remained in the top 10 throughout the season, finishing in 6th place.
Verle was the women's volleyball coach at Mesa Community College and served as interim head coach of the GCU men's team in 2016.
He grew up in Pennsylvania, where Penn State was strong in men's volleyball. He played on the Junior National Team for two years and started as a center for Team USA at the 2007 Junior World Championships.
GCU is the only Division I school in Arizona with a men's volleyball program.
“Even if you look at Grand Canyon being No. 1, the nine schools behind us are well-known schools,” Werle said. “Things like Penn State, Stanford, UCLA. What is the Grand Canyon? We're trying to capitalize on that.”
This puts GCU on the national map and helps with recruitment.
The team's top players include outside hitter Camden Gianni, who played for the USA Volleyball varsity team last summer. Middle blockers Rico Wardlow and Cameron Thorne are strong up front, along with Hickman and outside hitter Carter Rogers.
Nick Slight will play as the setter.
Werle has seen the growth of men's volleyball in Arizona and hopes to grow the game by attracting recruits from all over Arizona and across the United States.
“Being from Pennsylvania, I always had a dream of playing at Penn State,” Ware said. “That was my goal. We're the only Division I program in the state of Arizona. I want every kid in Arizona who's 10, 11, 12 years old now to want to be a Lope one day. .Let’s build it in our state.”
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