MESA, Ariz. – Senior Olivia Samaniego powered the Hope International women's volleyball team to a five-set victory at Benedictine Mesa on Saturday with a career-high 17 kills on .414 hitting.
The Royals completed the comeback from being down two sets to one for the second time this season in the state of Arizona, posting a 26-24, 19-25, 18-25, 25-23, 15-13 triumph. HIU also overcame a 2-1 deficit at Embry-Riddle on September 5.
Winners of four of its last six matches, the Royals return to southern California at 4-9 overall and 3-2 in the GSAC.
Samaniego was instrumental in the comeback as she produced five kills apiece in both sets four and five to help the Royals to narrow two-point victories.
In set four, the Royals used a couple of big runs to ultimately win 25-23. Trailing 9-7, HIU embarked on an 8-1 run to take a 15-10 lead. Samaniego's kill put the Royals up 21-15, and a BENU service error gave the visitors set point at 24-16. But the Redhawks – spurred by two Sophie Drollinger kills, three HIU attack errors and two BENU service aces – notched seven straight points to fend off defeat. However, HIU called timeout and BENU committed an attack error to end the set.
Set five was tight, as both teams battled through 10 ties to reach a 10-10 stalemate. BENU took a 12-10 lead, but Samaniego knocked down a kill to bring HIU within one. Samaniego struck again to tie the score at 13-13, and the Royals scored the final three points to take the final set 15-13. HIU ended the match on a Judy Juhala service ace and BENU attack error.
HIU overcame a 23-20 deficit in set one, scoring six of the final seven points to earn the 26-24 triumph. Samaniego combined forces with Manaia Mamea to reject Addy Green at the net on set point.
BENU won sets two and three comfortably. The Redhawks hit a match-high .389 in set three.
Four Royals finished in double figures in kills to lead a balanced effort. In addition to Samaniego's career performance, Lole Mamea collected 14 kills, Manaia Mamea added 12 and Genevieve Kertz 11. Lole Mamea hit .542 with just one error in 24 swings. Manaia Mamea added 10 digs to finish with a double-double.
Kertz has developed into a force at the net. The freshman collected a career-high eight blocks, including a pair of solo stuffs.
Kaylani Moncada led the defensive effort with 16 digs and Rita Nua dished out a career-best 44 assists.
The Royals hit .203 for the match and out blocked the Redhawks 13.0-4.0.
HIU faces its final regular season nonconference opponent next Wednesday, hosting Westcliff at Darling Pavilion for a 6:00 p.m. first serve.
