Hope International University

FULLERTON – Hope International women's volleyball nearly pulled off one of the biggest upsets in program history on day two of the 2026 Summer Slam, but fell in five sets to No. 2 Eastern Oregon before dropping a straight sets encounter with Oregon Tech.

The Royals took a 2-0 sets lead, but the Mounties showcased their mettle with the 22-25, 25-27, 25-14, 25-22, 15-9 reverse sweep. HIU lost 25-19, 25-20, 25-13 to the Lady Owls.

Match 1 – Sabrina Galassi posted a match-high 22 kills and Manaia Mamea added 16.

Rita Nua dished out 18 assists and libero Kaylani Moncada scooped up 37 digs from the back row.

The Royals overcame a 20-19 set one deficit, posting a 4-0 run behind kills from Kyla Dothard, Lole Mamea and Olivia Samaniego. HIU earned the 25-22 victory as Galassi fired an ace to end the set.

HIU jumped out to a 9-4 lead in the second set and maintained the edge, getting to set point at 24-21. But EOU scored four of the next five points to knot the frame at 25-25. However, Manaia Mamea and Dothard notched back-to-back kills to bring the Royals closer to the upset.

EOU responded by hitting .484 in the third set to win 25-14. The Mounties took a 10-0 lead and coasted to the victory.

Set four tightened up following an early 11-5 EOU lead. The Royals utilized a 5-0 spurt to tie the frame at 18-18, aided by two Manaia Mamea kills. Tied at 20-20, the Mounties scored three of the next four points to take a 23-21 edge. 

Galassi trimmed the deficit to one with a kill, but Brooklyn Willard notched a kill and Mylie Mills and Brooke Womack assisted on a block to seal the 25-22 triumph.

EOU outhit HIU .350 to .087 in set five to complete the comeback with a 15-9 victory. Three mini three-point runs built a 9-4 advantage for the visitors.

Match 2 – Galassi led the Royals with nine kills on .421 hitting.

Moncada had 15 digs and Monse Rodriguez added 13. 

OIT hit .327 compared to HIU's .175 efficiency.

The Royals led 15-12 in set one, but Aleksen Taylor had two kills, an assisted block and an assist in a 5-0 run that gave the Lady Owls a 17-15 edge. HIU trailed just 19-18, but the Lady Owls reeled off six of the final seven points for the 25-19 triumph. 

HIU trailed in set two until the midway point, notching a 4-0 run to take a 17-15 lead. Manaia Mamea, Genevieve Kertz and Galassi contributed to the run. The two teams battled to a 20-20 tie, when OIT scored the final five points for the victory. 

The Royals ran out of gas in set three as the Lady Owls burst out to a 10-1 lead, ultimately winning 25-13.

HIU returns to action on Wednesday, August 26 with its first road matchup, facing Cal Lutheran at 7:00 p.m.