SAN DIMAS, Calif. – The Hope International women's volleyball team opened the 2026 season with a 28-26, 25-22, 25-18 loss to Westcliff on Saturday.
The match, which was played on Life Pacific's Mehl Court, dropped the Royals to 0-1 on the season. The Warriors improved to 1-1.
HIU received solid defensive performances from newcomers Sabrina Galassi and Kaylani Moncada, who registered 29 and 21 digs, respectively.
Galassi also led the Royals with nine kills and four block assists.
Olivia Samaniego posted six kills and three block assists.
HIU struggled with hitting efficiency, finishing the match at -.007 overall. The Warriors hit .074 with Joliayns Roman and Stacy Folas collecting nine kills apiece.
The Royals overcame a 24-19 set one deficit, reeling off six straight points to lead 25-24. Freshmen Genevieve Kertz and Manaia Mamea teamed up for consecutive assisted blocks to cut the deficit to 24-22. A Moncada service ace got the Royals one point closer, then Kertz and Mamea posted back-to-back kills to get HIU to set point.
But an HIU attack error tied the score at 25-25. Trailing 26-25, the Royals used a Kertz kill to knot the score once again. However, two straight HIU errors secured the 28-26 victory for Westcliff.
The Royals utilized a 5-0 run to grab a 9-6 lead in set two. They maintained the three-point advantage at 14-11 before the Warriors scored five straight points to lead 16-14, helped by four straight HIU attack errors.
HIU fell behind 20-16, but notched four of the next five points to pull within one. But the Warriors responded by scoring four of the final five points for the 25-21 victory. The Royals hit -.022 in the set.
Neither team held more than a two-point lead until late in the frame in set three. However, with HIU leading 18-17, the Warriors closed the contest on an 8-0 run to take the straight sets triumph.
HIU hosts the two-day Summer Slam next Friday and Saturday at Darling Pavilion. The Royals face College of Idaho at 11:00 a.m. and Crestmont at 7:00 p.m. on day one.
