Grand Canyon softball has muted reaction to learning NCAA Tournament seeding, matchup vs. UCLA
Grand Canyon‘s softball team earned their third straight NCAA Tournament berth after completing a three-peat in the WAC Tournament. Defeating California Baptist 9-2 on Saturday to become the first team to win the WAS Tournament title in three straight seasons.
Many of the nation’s conference champions and other programs from smaller conferences were elated on selection Sunday when their appearance in the NCAA Tournament was confirmed live on ESPN 2. But not the Lopes — who had quite a lukewarm reaction when they learned that they’d be taking place in the Los Angeles Regional alongside No. 6 seed UCLA, Virginia Tech, and San Diego State.
Whether they were disappointed about their seeding or forgot the cameras were rolling, the Lopes’ reaction to the big news was the opposite of excitement and can be seen below.
The expression on the faces of GCU’s faces could have been because they anticipated a higher seed in this year’s tournament. They earned the four-seed in the Los Angeles Regional despite boasting the nation’s eighth-best winning percentage after winning a program-record 48 games this season and proving themselves as NCAA Tournament regulars with their third-straight appearance in the ‘Big Dance.’
But the Lopes’ reaction could also have to do with their opponent, as they’ll take on one-seeded UCLA for a third straight time in LA for the regionals.
“I kind of thought they’d send us somewhere else since we’ve been there two straight years, but it’s not surprising so we’re excited to be able to go again to UCLA,” Grand Canyon head coach Shanon Hays said. “We’ve proven we’re a good team, but we’re going to a great regional. All three teams there are phenomenal programs, so it’s going to be super tough.”
The Lopes pulled off the upset with a 3-2 win over the Bruins last season to open up the Los Angeles Regional. But did suffer a disappointing 1-12 loss to UCLA in the same situation in 2022. As they’ll look to take the lead in the three-year series and also potentially get revenge on a San Diego State team that defeated them in the postseason last year. With the Aztecs taking on Virginia Tech and representing the two other teams in the Los Angeles regional this year.
“This is a mature bunch,” Hays added. “They know the last two years have nothing to do with this year. We’re going to go in there bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. We’re excited, and we can’t wait to get there. You always want to do more. We feel like we have a better ball club. Every year, every week, every game is different, so we need to be as prepared as we can be and go play confidently. We’re certainly thrilled to be in the big tournament, and it’s always cool to go to a storied place like UCLA.”