Colorado University Athletics
Spann Graduate Transfers To GCU Beach Volleyball
April 30, 2020 | Volleyball
BOULDER – Colorado volleyball senior Justine Spann is returning home to Arizona as a graduate transfer to compete in beach volleyball for Grand Canyon University, the school announced Thursday afternoon.
"I am so grateful for the opportunity to continue my education and playing career," said Spann. "Beach is going to be an amazing experience and very difficult. I am known as a scrappy player indoors with where I place the ball, but that is how everyone plays in beach. I am excited for the challenge."
Spann, a native of Chandler, Ariz., returns home to Phoenix where she will have two remaining semesters of eligibility and joins the Lopes in their 2020-2021 season. GCU finished the shortened 2020 season as the No.7-ranked team in the nation after defeating No.11 Cal, No.4 USC and No.17 South Carolina. The Lopes finished the season 10-2.
"Coming from the toughest conference indoors in the Pac-12 and jumping to more tough competition is huge for me," said Spann on GCU's success. "I have always been proud of going against the hardest competition."
The Lopes have been ranked in the top-20 in the nation for the past four seasons under head coach Kristen Rohr.
"I couldn't be more proud of Justine's growth as a player and a person during her four seasons as a Buff and I'm excited for her to be able to continue her volleyball journey at GCU," said head coach Jesse Mahoney. "She has all the tools to be an outstanding player on the beach and I expect her to do great things there."
Indoors, Spann led the Buffaloes this past season with 378 kills, closing her career with 832 kills. She also had 209 digs, bringing her career total to 753. Her ability in both the attack and back row along with her serving – 70 career aces – bode well for her transition to the sand.
Beach volleyball is a new journey for Spann that she looks forward to, along with continuing her education.
"Going overseas and continuing my playing career was an option but this was my only chance to enter into the beach world and give it a try. It also allows me to continue my education and jumpstart my Masters.
Spann has a solid background of resources as well, as her mother Terri was a former high school teammate of USA beach volleyball legend and three-time Olympic Gold medalist Misty May-Treanor. She also played with former FIVB pro Heather Lowe, both of which Spann hopes to reach out to when possible for help jumpstarting her transition to the sand.
"I am so grateful for the opportunity to continue my education and playing career," said Spann. "Beach is going to be an amazing experience and very difficult. I am known as a scrappy player indoors with where I place the ball, but that is how everyone plays in beach. I am excited for the challenge."
Spann, a native of Chandler, Ariz., returns home to Phoenix where she will have two remaining semesters of eligibility and joins the Lopes in their 2020-2021 season. GCU finished the shortened 2020 season as the No.7-ranked team in the nation after defeating No.11 Cal, No.4 USC and No.17 South Carolina. The Lopes finished the season 10-2.
"Coming from the toughest conference indoors in the Pac-12 and jumping to more tough competition is huge for me," said Spann on GCU's success. "I have always been proud of going against the hardest competition."
The Lopes have been ranked in the top-20 in the nation for the past four seasons under head coach Kristen Rohr.
"I couldn't be more proud of Justine's growth as a player and a person during her four seasons as a Buff and I'm excited for her to be able to continue her volleyball journey at GCU," said head coach Jesse Mahoney. "She has all the tools to be an outstanding player on the beach and I expect her to do great things there."
Indoors, Spann led the Buffaloes this past season with 378 kills, closing her career with 832 kills. She also had 209 digs, bringing her career total to 753. Her ability in both the attack and back row along with her serving – 70 career aces – bode well for her transition to the sand.
Beach volleyball is a new journey for Spann that she looks forward to, along with continuing her education.
"Going overseas and continuing my playing career was an option but this was my only chance to enter into the beach world and give it a try. It also allows me to continue my education and jumpstart my Masters.
Spann has a solid background of resources as well, as her mother Terri was a former high school teammate of USA beach volleyball legend and three-time Olympic Gold medalist Misty May-Treanor. She also played with former FIVB pro Heather Lowe, both of which Spann hopes to reach out to when possible for help jumpstarting her transition to the sand.
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