Box Score COSTA MESA, Calif. – Playing against Hope International for the sixth time, the seventh ranked Lions took care of business to move to 8-3, 5-1 in conference play with one game to go. The Royals fall to 4-6 overall, 1-5 in GSAC by set scores of 25-21,23-25,25-20,25-21. After the conclusion of the match, the team honored their first senior in program history – Connor Chase (SR/Gardena, CA). During the ceremony, the coaching staff announced the creation of the "Connor Chase Award" which will go annually to the student-athlete that embodies the criteria of a Vanguad Men's Volleyball Player - selflessness, energy, putting the team before self, and ability to connect with others.
What Happened? Early in the first set, the Lions gained a slim advantage and held it until HIU tied it at 9-9. After falling behind 18-14, Vanguard scored seven straight points with Cody Watts (SO/Clovis, CA) serving to take the lead. Leading 24-20 with service, the Lions had a service error and ultimately won on the next point. In contrast to the first set, it was HIU who held the slim margin before Vanguard knotted things at 10-10. Four straight points by the visitors helped them build a 17-12 margin which would prove to be too much for the Blue and Gold to overcome. Bouncing back after the disappointment from the previous set, the Pride easily built a 17-10 advantage and although HIU cut it to a two-point margin, they held on for the five-point victory. Despite trailing two sets to one, the Royals continued to battle each and every point. Vanguard jumped out to a 10-5 advantage with Watts serving but Hope International kept staying three points behind. Eventually, the Royals tied the contests at 20-20, but the Lions held on for the win.
Why It's Important? Tonight, marks the last regular season home game for the Blue and Gold and their second to last overall. They will wrap up regular season play tomorrow in their seventh and final match against HIU. Vanguard is 7-1 all-time against the Royals and the Pride has won five of their last six games.
Top Performers: Kyle Anema (JR/La Mirada, CA) guided the Lions offensive attack with 18 kills with Matthew Roussin (JR/Anaheim Hills, CA) posting 14 and Filippo Meoni (FR/Macerata, Italy) being the third and final member in double figures. In his first appearance this season, Cory Davidson (FR/Capistrano Beach, CA) handed out 41 of the teams 48 assists. At the net defensively, Valesis Vaisual (FR/Hayward, CA) and Watts combined for 10 block assists and 12 total blocks.
What They Said: Connor Chase - "I think we did a great job preparing in practice. We play these guys a lot so we kinda understood what was happening. They came out and did something a little differently, but our coach prepped us well and we came out and we're ready for everything. It was a great night I was stoked to get out there and play with my family. There's no better feeling than being out there with my boys. Probably one of the best nights ever I'm super stoked we won and even more stoked I got to play with my brothers."
What's Next: Tomorrow, Friday March 19th at Hope International University at 7:00 p.m.
#ClawsUp
