FULLERTON – Embry-Riddle staved off three match points in the fifth set, handing Hope International a tough 25-22, 25-18, 18-25, 12-25, 17-15 loss in GSAC women's volleyball action on Saturday at Darling Pavilion.

It was the third five-set defeat for the Royals in conference play. HIU fell to 6-13 overall and 2-10 in conference play. The Eagles improved to 10-13 overall and 4-8 in league.

HIU overcame a two-set deficit to win sets three and four in dominating fashion, then led 6-1 in the decisive fifth.

The Royals held a four-point lead at 13-9 following a Savannah Salter kill, and reached match point at 14-11 after Vianka Martinez found the floor.

However, the Eagles stormed back with four straight points, getting kills from Haeden Baker and Hannah Clear to go along with two HIU attack errors. Trailing 15-14, the Royals fought off a match point of their own as Lole Mamea slammed a kill.

But Brooke Eglinton and Emma Barber delivered back-to-back kills to secure the 17-15 victory for ERAU.

ERAU hit .314 in set one and .361 in set two to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the match.

HIU responded by hitting .270 in set three and .360 in set four to win in dominating fashion. Olivia Samaniego was dominant in set four, producing four kills and four block assists. Two of her stuffs came on back-to-back plays to provide HIU a 20-10 lead. 

The Royals also served up five of their 12 service aces in set four.

HIU had three service errors and no aces in set five.

Lole Mamea and Manaia Mamea collected career highs in kills with 18 and 16, respectively. Manaia Mamea added 17 digs to secure her fourth double-double of the season.

Samaniego also posted a career-best 15 kills on .312 hitting while chipping in a match-high tying six blocks.

Alyssa Bishop handed out 35 assists for the Royals and Rita Nua tallied a 16-assist, 10-dig double-double.

The Royals hit .193 for the match and edged the Eagles in kills (63-47), assists (59-43), aces (12-5) and digs (83-77).

HIU also committed 15 service errors compared to just seven for ERAU.

ERAU had a balanced attack with four players in double figure kills, led by Barber with 11.

The Royals travel to Park Gilbert next Friday for a 6:00 p.m. contest.