HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – Hope International beach volleyball lost a tough GSAC matchup to Arizona Christian on Wednesday at the Brookhurst & PCH Courts.

The Royals led 2-0, but dropped the next three matches in a 3-2 setback to the Firestorm.

Katie Barclay and Macy Thornburg put HIU up 1-0 with their 21-16, 23-21 victory over Haley Tedrow and Abby Siebert. The lead increased to 2-0 at the twos, as Kyla Dothard and Lole Mamea won a three-set thriller by scores of 21-17, 22-24, 15-5 over Jasmin Joseph and Jaisden Zeis.

The Firestorm got on the board on court No. 5, where Kapri Espinoza and Lilly Peterson grabbed a 21-13, 21-17 win against Manaia Mamea and Phoebe Sebby. The visitors tied the score at 2-2, getting a 21-12, 21-13 triumph from Alyssa Robles and Abby Nelson over Maci Hendry and Carmelina Infante.

The match came down to the ones. ACU's Emily Casner and Emee Fellens outlasted Sabrina Galassi and Bryce Swain in three sets, taking the 21-12, 16-21, 15-13 decision.

ACU improved to 9-9 overall and 5-5 in the GSAC. Fifth-ranked HIU fell to 6-1 overall and 5-4 in conference play.

HIU returns to action on Thursday against Benedictine Mesa at 11:00 a.m.