Glendale, AZ - The Hope International University Royals Men's Volleyball team (12-6, 3-3 GSAC) traveled to Glendale, AZ to face the Firestorm of Arizona Christian University (5-9, 2-4 GSAC) this evening and fell 3-0. 

The game was off to a great start for the Royals, as a kill by Damon Potter put the Royals on the board early. The Firestorm were quick to respond scoring back to back points. Despite the Firestorms comfort on home court, the Royals continued to respond to each point of theirs. With the Royals down four, a kill by Kyler Tufuga assisted by Sam D'Ambrosio brought the score within three. Following efforts by Cole Oliver the Royals closed within two. The teams continued to trade points through the set until the Royals finally tied with the Firestorm off a kill by Cole Oliver assisted by Sergio Garcia to make it 21-21. Despite the Royals effort to get back into the game, the Firestorm managed to keep their lead as they took the set 25-21. 

With the second set underway, the Royals struggled to get on the board early. It wasn't until a kill by Quentin Roberts assisted by Sam D'Ambrosio gave the Royals their first point of the set. The Firestorm responded to this going on a run breaking through the defense of the Royals. Great efforts from the Royals brought the game within one and a kill by Kyler Tufuga assisted by Cole Oliver tied the score 10-10. The teams began to trade points throughout the rest of the set. Though the Firestorm were in the lead, the efforts from Cole Oliver kept their score close. Despite their efforts, it was clear that the Firestorm's momentum from the first set carried them through the second as the Firestorm took the second set with a score of 25-23. 

With the third set underway, the Royals were looking to gain some momentum and get a win. A kill by Damon Potter assisted by Kyler Tufuga put the Royals on the board first. With the Royals on the board early, they gained some momentum and continued to find ways to break through the defense of the Firestorm. The Firestorm returned and went on a run for themselves extending the lead by as much as five. With the Royals down five a kill by Cole Oliver assisted by Kyler Tufuga brought the game within four. From there the Royals began to chip away at their lead. With the Royals gaining momentum, the Firestorm called a time out.  Returning from the timeout, Cole Oliver earned a kill assisted by Kyler Tufuga to tie the game 21-21. Despite late efforts from the Royals the Firestorm went on to get four straight kills taking the final set 25-22 and the game 3-0. Oliver led the Royals with 25 kills. 

The Royals will look to bounce back from tonight's loss tomorrow afternoon as they will travel to Surprise, AZ to face the Spirit of Ottawa University Arizona at 1pm.