COSTA MESA, Calif. - The fifth-ranked Vanguard Lions (4-2) got back to their winning ways in a matchup against The Master's University (0-2) in a three-set contest that was scored 25-16, 25-23, 25-17, in favor of the Pride. Four members of the Blue and Gold made their season debut as Michael Hewlett (FR/Murrieta, CA), Declan Holder (JR/Irvine, CA), Ryan Jew (SO/Roseville, CA), and Valesis Vaisual (FR/Hayward, CA) would all give the Lions solid contributions over the course of the win. 

What Happened? The first set featured nine ties before the Lions went on a 7-2 run thanks to two kills and two aces from Kyle Anema (JR/La Mirada, CA) that was capped off by a kill by Caleb Twyman (SR/Corona, CA). A block by Twyman and Cody Watts (SO/Clovis, CA) would seal the first set in favor of the Blue and Gold. Set two was a nail-biter from end to end as The Master's University rode their best hitting percentage of the match (.269) to tie things up at 22. The Mustangs would record two errors late as the Lions would take the second set 25-22. In the third set, the Blue and Gold jumped out to a 13-2 advantage and never looked back, earning the three-set victory and snapping the two-game skid. 

Why It's Important? The Lions would snap a two-game losing skid as four members of the Blue and Gold made their season debut as Michael Hewlett, Declan Holder, Ryan Jew, and Valesis Vaisual would all give the Lions solid contributions over the course of the win. The Pride would move to 2-0 in the battle of the budding programs. 

Top Performers: Kyle Anema had a game-high ten kills to go with seven digs and five service aces, while Matthew Roussin (JR/Anaheim Hills, CA) would finish with eight kills and six digs with a block assist. Bryce Thompson (JR/Los Alamitos, CA) would dish out 30 assists and two service aces, and Cameron Way (JR/Dana Point, CA) would finish with a game-high 12 digs to round things out for the Blue and Gold. 

What They Said: "Just the beginning of when I got subbed in, I felt my adrenaline coming," said Vaisual. "Bryce told me to fly high and get ready to hit and when he set me I was ready to hit ready to go. Just on and off the court the boys' support is amazing. We can't wait for our next game on Wednesday."

What's Next: The first of a six-game series at (RV) Hope International on Wednesday, February 17th starting at 7:00 p.m.

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