HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. - The Lions (8-9) suffered their first ever loss to Hope International, just four days after defeating them for the third straight time. Vanguard fell 2-3 to HIU who took advantage of an off day by the Blue and Gold. VU is below .500 for the first time since exactly 31 days prior.
Two other dates this season saw the Pride battle against only one team on the sands of Surf City, but today the Lions did not grab the customary 5-0 victory. Instead, the match opened with a 11-21, 21-23 defeat of Angel Carroll (SO/Roy, WA) and Mackenzie Mitchell (SO/Costa Mesa, CA). Dani Erdelatz (JR/Stockton, CA) and Brooke Wilsman (SR/Lakeland, FL) took the court as the third flight for the Blue and Gold. After a shocking 12-21 opening set loss, the team bounced back with a 21-13 count before falling 9-15 in the final point. Trailing 0-2 in sets won, Karly Cantu (JR/Spokane, WA) and Gabby Morrison (SO/Paso Robles, CA) answered the call with a 21-15, 21-14 count. Trailing two matches to one, the Lions needed a great performance from their top pair Hannah Holder (JR/Irvine, CA) and Kelli Dowell (SR/Redlands, CA). The duo rallied from a 11-21 loss in the opening frame before taking the rest of the match 21-18, 15-11. In the final pairing, with the match outcome riding on it, Eliana Johnson (SO/Scottsdale, AZ) and Charity Dennis (SR/Cypress, CA) entered the third set with a 22-20 victory in hand and a 22-24 defeat. In the final flight, the Royals walked off with a 15-10 victory.
Next Match: Tuesday, April 9Â at 10:00 a.m. against Westcliff.
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