2023 WAC Volleyball Tournament Central

OREM, Utah – Stephen F. Austin and Grand Canyon earned wins in the 2023 WAC Volleyball Tournament semifinal round to advance to Saturdays championship match. The ‘Jacks and Lopes will battle for the WAC tournament title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament at 6 p.m. MT Saturday, Nov. 18 on ESPN+.

No. 2 Grand Canyon 3, No. 3 UTRGV 0 | Box Score

Defensive prowess at the net led No. 2 Grand Canyon to defeat No. 3 UTRGV in three straight sets (25-22, 25-22, 25-19) as the Lopes tallied 13 team blocks to hold the Vaqueros to a .125 hitting percentage. After advancing to the semifinal round for the second consecutive year, UTRGV ends its season at 19-13 overall.

Grand Canyon was powered by senior outside hitter Tatum Parrott, who recorded her fifth double-double of the season with 15 kills and 11 digs. WAC Setter of the Year Klaire Mitchell also posted a double-double, her 11^th of the season with 32 assists and 10 digs. Junior middle blocker Alissa Uhlenhop tallied a career-high eight blocks and added four kills. Sophomore Tatum Thomas chipped in with a match-high 12 digs and two aces.

The Vaqueros were led by junior outside hitter Claudia Lupescu, who recorded her fourth double-double of the season with 11 kills and 14 digs. Junior Luanna Emiliano tallied her seventh consecutive and 20^th double-double of the season with 31 assists and 10 digs. She also chipped in with three kills and a match-high three aces. WAC Libero of the Year Kiaraliz Perez posted 13 digs and five assists.

No. 1 Stephen F. Austin 3, No. 5 Utah Valley 1 | Box Score

No. 1 Stephen F. Austin fought off No. 5 Utah Valley (26-24, 22-25, 25-20, 30-28) in a match that nearly went to five sets. Overall, the ‘Jacks had a total of 72 kills, 66 digs, five aces and seven blocks.

WAC Player of the Year Ielan Bradley had an impressive match, connecting on 22 kills hitting .318 and added four digs. Sophomore outside hitter Camryn Hill recorded her sixth double-double of the season with 10 kills and 11 digs. Sophomore Jayden Flynn tallied 31 assists and six digs, while senior Maddy Bourque posted a near double-double with 21 assists and eight digs. Senior Haley Hoang recorded 24 digs and seven assists. Tanishua Joseph chipped in offensively with 13 kills on a .455 hitting clip.

The Wolverines held a 12-7 advantage in blocks, behind senior middle blocker Caleigh Vagana’s six blocks. Sophomore outside hitter Avery Shewell led the charge, posting a near double-double with 16 kills and eight digs hitting .438. Senior Abbie Medeiros recorded her seventh double-double of the season with 30 assists and 11 digs, while freshman Evalyn Chism recorded her sixth double-double with 16 assists and 10 digs.