MESA, Ariz. – The Hope International beach volleyball team picked up a pair of victories on Thursday at the Arizona Athletic Grounds, squeaking by Arizona Christian 3-2 before upending Park Gilbert 5-0.

The pairings at No. 2, No. 3 and No. 5 finished 2-0 for the afternoon. Maci Hendry and Carmelina Infante overcame a first set deficit to earn the match clinching point against the Firestorm.
 

#7 Hope International 3, #5 Arizona Christian 2

With the match tied 2-2, Hendry and Infante sealed the team victory in a showdown against Abby Siebert and Haley Tedrow at No. 3. The two teams split the first two sets before the HIU tandem prevailed In the third, winning 21-19, 20-22, 15-10. 

The lead up to that point favored the Firestorm as they took a 1-0 lead with Alyssa Robles and Abigail Nelson defeating Rita Nua and Cozette Zimmermann 22-20, 21-14. The Royals tied the match at 1-1 as Lole Mamea and Kyla Dothard toppled Jaiden Zeis and Jasmin Joseph 11-21, 21-17, 15-12.

The Royals had a 2-1 lead after winning on the five line. Macy Thornburg and Phoebe Sebby were victorious by identical 21-14, 21-14 scores over ACU's Ashlynn Craven and Jaclyn Stone.

But the Firestorm tied the contest up at the ones, as Emily Casner and Emee Fellens won a close 21-16, 23-21 battle over Bryce Swain and Sabrina Galassi.

HIU played its fourth 3-2 match in the last five contests in improving to 4-3.

#7 Hope International 5, Park Gilbert 0

HIU won all five contests in straight sets.

Hendry and Infante had the most dominant set win, breezing to a 21-5 victory. But they had to work overtime to take set two against Kyla Knight and Hayven Lick as the final was 24-22 on the three line.

Swain and Galassi earned a 21-15, 21-7 victory at the ones against Porsche Bauer and Adriana DeMario.

Thornburg and Sebby accounted for the third and deciding point as their 21-17, 21-17 win clinched the match against Athena Hice and Marissa Moorehouse.

HIU continues GSAC play on Friday, February 27 with a 10:00 a.m. contest at Life Pacific.