Fullerton, CA – The Hope International men's volleyball team (2-3) fell 3-0 to the Simpson University Redhawks on Friday evening at home in the Darling Pavilion.
 
The Royals jumped on top in the first set as they held an early 13-9 lead led by two kills from Coby Prowse. The Redhawks came right back to make it 13-11 but the Royals answered with a 4-0 run to increase their lead to 17-11 led by great serving from Bradyn Hipa. The Redhawks kept coming though as they clawed their way back to 23-20 before closing the set on a 5-0 run as the Royals fell 25-23 and trailed 1-0. The second set did not go well for the Royals as the Redhawks went on an 11-0 run with the score tied 2-2 to take a commanding 13-2 lead. The Royals tried to fight back as they made it 16-5 but the Redhawks went on a 5-0 run before closing out the set 25-8 and taking a 2-0 lead. The Redhawks took their momentum into the third set as they took a 15-8 lead. The Royals did put up a fight as they used a 5-1 run led by two kills from Brian Castro to close within 16-13 but that's as close as they got as the Redhawks closed out the game taking set three 25-17 and winning 3-0. Prowse and Castro led the Royals with five kills each.
 
The Royals continue action on the road as they open up GSAC play against No. 3 Vanguard on Wednesday, February 15 at 7:00 PM at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, CA.