PRESCOTT, Ariz. – Sabrina Galassi produced a match-high 15 kills to lead the Hope International women's volleyball team to a 24-26, 25-19, 22-25, 25-18, 15-10 comeback victory over Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) on Saturday at Eagle Gym.
The Royals notched their first victory of the season to improve to 1-7 overall and 1-1 in the GSAC. The Eagles fell to 8-4 overall and 1-1 in conference play.
Manaia Mamea and Lole Mamea contributed 14 and 11 kills each, respectively. Kaylani Moncada had a match-high 27 digs and Rita Nua dished out 38 assists.
Nua also collected five of HIU's season-high 10 service aces.
Galassi added 13 digs to secure her second double-double of the season.
The Royals trailed two sets to one in the contest, but legged out a 25-18 victory in set four to tie up the match. Galassi had four kills in set four and Manaia Mamea added three to pace the Royals.
Nua tallied four of her five aces in the set, dealing back-to-back aces late to give HIU a 23-16 lead. HIU polished off the win following a Galassi kill and Eagle attack error.
The fifth set was back-and-forth, featuring six lead changes and seven ties until the midway point. With ERAU leading 8-7, the Royals responded with a five-point run to take a 12-8 edge. Three Eagle attack errors combined with kills from Genevieve Kertz and Lole Mamea put the Royals in favorable position.
The Eagles battled back to within 12-10, but HIU scored the final three points, including an assisted block from Kertz and Lole Mamea to secure the 15-10 triumph.
HIU hit a match-high .316 in set two to earn a 25-19 win.
The Royals host their first home GSAC opponent next Friday against Park Gilbert at 6:00 p.m.
