GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Hope International women's volleyball team lost in straight sets on the road Friday to Arizona Christian by scores of 25-15, 25-18, 25-19.

Sabrina Galassi led the Royals with nine kills and hit .280 (9-2-25) for the match. Manaia Mamea added eight kills and Kaylani Moncada had a match-high 16 digs. 

The Royals (0-7, 0-1 GSAC) hit .048 for the contest, while the Firestorm swung at a .276 (37-13-87) clip.

HIU collected six service aces – three apiece from Monse Rodriguez and Alyssa Bishop.

Madison Sherby tallied a match-high 13 kills for the Firestorm.

Arizona Christian burst out to a 5-0 lead in the first set and extended the advantage to 11-1 behind four early kills from Madison Van Wie. The Royals battled back as two straight Galassi kills followed by Genevieve Kertz slam curbed the deficit to 14-8.

But the Firestorm kept their distance, eventually building another double-digit lead and taking the set 25-15. ACU hit .464 in the first set.

HIU started out with a 7-4 lead in set two behind two kills apiece from Manaia Mamea and Lole Mamea. However, the Firestorm went on a 9-1 run to grab a 14-9 lead.

An ACU solo block extended the advantage to 18-11 and three consecutive Royals errors opened up a 21-13 lead. HIU closed to within six at 24-18 following an assisted block from Olivia Samaniego and Galassi. But the Firestorm took the 25-18 victory as the Royals committed a service error on set point.

HIU built an early 4-1 lead in set three. Leading 5-4, the Royals saw the Firestorm score seven straight points – two on service aces to lead 11-5. Trailing 15-9, HIU reeled off six consecutive points to knot the set at 15-15. Rodriguez served up three straight aces during that stretch.

The Royals kept it close, trailing 21-19 when the Firestorm scored the final four points of the contest. 

HIU concludes its trip to Arizona on Saturday, squaring off against Embry-Riddle at 2:00 p.m.