Fullerton, CA – The Hope International women's volleyball team (1-2) picked up their first win of the 2023 season with a dominant 3-0 sweep of the University of Antelope Valley Pioneers on Friday afternoon to wrap up play at the La Sierra Tournament at Loma Linda Academy in Loma Linda, CA.

After a disappointing first two games the Royals looked for their first win of the season against the Pioneers. The Royals came storming out of the gates with a 7-1 run led by three kills from Savannah Salter. The teams then exchanged points before the Royals went on another 7-1 run with kills coming from four different players as they seized control with a 15-4 lead. The Royals never looked back as they prevented the Pioneers from putting together a run while back to back kills from Addie Mathias and Cassidy Koffroth gave the Royals a 25-8 set victory and a 1-0 lead. The second set started out as a battle as the teams exchanged leads before the Royals took over with a 4-0 run led by two block from Jade Philips as they took a 10-8 lead. The Pioneers kept it close at 14-12 but the Royals had all the answers as they closed the set on an 11-1 run led by three kills from Mathias to take set two 25-13 and a commanding 2-0 lead. This time the Royals weren't going to allow a comeback as they raced out to a 13-1 lead in set three led by three kills from Macie Powell. It was all Royals from there as they outscored the Pioneers 12-5 with a dominant performance winning the set 25-6 and the game 3-0. Mathias led the Royals with 11 kills.

The Royals will return to action at home as they host the annual HIU Summer Slam and will open up play their at 2:00 PM against Rocky Mountain College on Friday, August 25.