THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – Hope International stayed close with host Cal Lutheran, but ultimately dropped a battle in three sets by scores of 25-19, 25-23, 25-23 on Wednesday at Gilbert Arena.
Freshman Genevieve Kertz led the Royals with eight kills. She hit .357 (8-3-14) and added three block assists.
Olivia Samaniego chipped in with six kills on .750 hitting. Sabrina Galassi also had six kills for HIU, which hit .121 overall.
Junior libero Kaylani Moncada continued her productive start at HIU with a match-high 20 digs.
The Royals sped out to an 8-4 lead in set one. The Regals countered with an 8-3 run to take a 12-11 lead, but the Royals scored five of the next six points to take a three-point advantage. Lole Mamea had a pair of assisted blocks with Nua and Kertz to facilitate the run.
HIU led 19-17, but the Regals notched the final eight points to take the 25-19 victory. The Royals were plagued with six attack errors down the stretch. Cal Lutheran hit .333 compared to HIU's .111 efficiency.
HIU trailed 8-2 early in set two, but a 5-0 run allowed the Royals to make up the deficit and eventually lead 15-13. But Cal Lutheran responded with six of the next seven points, grabbing a 19-16 edge.
The Royals faced a four-point deficit twice late in the set, but crept to within one on both occasions. Trailing 24-23, HIU succumbed to a Kaylee Clayton kill and fell into a 2-0 hole.
The two teams battled through nine ties early in set three. HIU built a 13-11 lead, but the Regals went on a key 7-1 run to lead 18-14. Trailing 20-17, the Royals reeled off five consecutive points – aided by a Monse Rodriguez service ace – and took a late two-point lead.
But similar to the first two sets, Cal Lutheran made a late push to take the win, collecting five of the final six points for another 25-23 triumph.
The Royals head out on the road for the start of GSAC play next week, traveling to Arizona Christian on Friday, September 4 for a 6:00 p.m. contest.
