Fullerton, CA – The Hope International women's volleyball team opened up the 2022 season hosting the HIU Summer Slam Tournament. It was a tough first day for the Royals as they fell 3-0 in the first game to Corban and couldn't complete the comeback as they dropped game two to Benedictine Mesa 3-2.

Game 1:
The Royals kept it close in the beginning with Corban as they trailed just 9-8 but from there the Warriors took over as they went on a 6-0 run to take a 15-8 lead as they went on to take the first set 26-16. The Royals tried to hang tough in the second set but once again the Warriors proved to be to much as the Royals lost it 25-16. Corban continued with all the momentum as they won the third set 25-14 as the Royals fell 3-0 to begin the tournament. Cassidy Koffroth led the Royals with seven kills.

Game 2:
The Royals came storming out of the game in game two as they took an early 15-7 lead thanks to great serving from Carissa Wiles. However the Red Hawks came storming back to take the first set 25-23. The Redhawks then continued their momentum into the second set as they stormed out to a big lead eventually taking it 25-12. The Royals fought back in the third set as they trailed early 16-11 before going on a 6-0 run to take the lead off a kill by Sofia Ramdhani. From there seized the momentum as they took the third set 25-21. The Royals continued their momentum into the fourth set as they took it 25-20 to force a critical fifth set. In the end though the Red Hawks were to much for the Royals as they dropped the fifth set 15-8 and the match 3-2. Wiles led the Royals with 13 kills and 7 aces.

The Royals will return to action tomorrow at the HIU Summer Slam as they take on Northwest at 1:00 PM before wrapping up the tournament against Northwestern at 6:00 PM.