SAN JOSE, Calif. — Santa Clara beach volleyball capped opening weekend with a 5-0 defeat against No. 14 Grand Canyon at San José State's Spartan Beach Courts Sunday. Kathryn Decker and Michelle Shaffer fell for the first time in five matches at the top spot.

Elizabeth Held/Alex Anthony (No. 3) played the closest match for the Broncos (0-5) against Anaya Evans/Katie Sarber of the Antelopes (3-0) at 21-15, 21-19.

"Grand Canyon has been an established, top-20 program for years and this is the best I have ever seen them," associate head coach Jeff Alzina said. "We learned a lot from their style of play today and we'll carry that experience forward to next week's duals in LA."

NO. 14 GRAND CANYON 5 SANTA CLARA 0

1. Bella Bauman/Teagan DeFalco (GCU) def. Michelle Shaffer/Kathryn Decker (SCU) 21-14, 21-15
2. Hannah Towne/Jessica Stansfield (GCU) def. Gretchen Reinert/Brynn Paumen (SCU) 21-14, 21-12
3. Anaya Evans/Katie Sarber (GCU) def. Elizabeth Held/Alex Anthony (SCU) 21-15, 21-19
4. Natalie Honzovicova/Katie Hess (GCU) def. Claire Doud/Kamaile Manol (SCU) 21-13, 21-13
5. Taylor Jarzombek/Madi Relaz (GCU) def. Maeve Davitt/Kathryn LeBaron (SCU) 21-7, 21-11

NEXT UP

The Broncos head to Southern California for four duals next week. They face Concordia, Irvine Valley College and Cal State Bakersfield Friday, followed by a Saturday tilt at Long Beach State.