COSTA MESA – The third-ranked Vanguard men's volleyball team hit a whopping .607, setting a program single-match record for hitting percentage in a 25-16, 25-7, 25-11 sweep of Hope International on Wednesday at Orange Coast College.

The Lions rebounded from last Friday's loss to Benedictine Mesa with a resounding effort, as they dispatched the Royals in less than an hour in the Golden State Athletic Conference opener for both teams.

Vanguard pounded 43 kills with just six errors in 61 attempts for the match. Will Anderson (JR/Tualatin, OR) contributed 15 of those kills, hitting .684 (15-2-19) overall to go along with seven block assists.

Tanner Woods (JR/Portland, OR) hit .900 with nine kills in 10 errorless attempts. Kyle Anema (SR/La Mirada, CA) posted eight kills on .462 hitting while adding three service aces.

Valesis Vaisuai (JR/Hayward, CA) notched eight block assists to lead the VU charge at the net. The Lions won the blocks battle, 10.5-1.0.

Ryan Smith (SR/Parker, CO) dished out 34 assists and served up four of the team's eight aces.

The Royals hit -.051 as a team with Coby Prowse posting six kills.

VU is now 5-2 on the season. HIU fell to 2-4.

What Happened?

Set 1: The Lions slowly built a larger lead as the set progressed, eventually winning 25-16 on .556 hitting.

VU committed seven service errors to allow HIU to remain somewhat close until the end.

Five kills from Woods enabled the Lions to build a 17-10 lead. Anema threw down a pair of kills as VU extended the lead to 23-14. After a couple of service errors gave the Royals two points, Cody Watts (SR/Clovis, CA) smashed back-to-back kills to close out the set.

VU held the Royals to .111 hitting in the first frame.

Set 2: VU displayed a big block to start the second set as Anderson and Vaisuai teamed up to reject Prowse on consecutive plays.

Woods and Anderson combined for six of the next seven VU points, finding the floor with regularity. With the Lions leading 9-3, the Royals scored two of the next three points to get within 11-6.

The Lions then gashed HIU with a 13-0 run to get to set point. Smith was at the service line for 12 straight points and picked up three aces along the way. VU ended the run with Anderson and Vaisuai blocking Prowse again on consecutive swings to open up the 24-6 advantage.

Anema finished off the 25-7 victory with a kill, as VU hit an overwhelming .692 in the set with nine kills in 13 errorless swings. HIU managed just a -.136 effort.

Set 3: The Royals stayed close in the early going as they trailed just 6-5 after a Prowse putaway.

But the Lions responded with an 8-2 run to open up a 14-7 gap. Vaisuai and Anema combined for a block, Anema recorded back-to-back aces, and Anderson pounded a kill to force HIU to call timeout.

The Lions gave the Royals a brief reprieve with a service error before scoring three straight points, culminating in another assisted block – this time by Anderson and Watts.

Leading 19-10, the Lions posted a 5-0 run with Woods at the service line. His ace created match point at 24-10. Matthew Roussin (SR/Anaheim Hills, CA) entered the match and knocked down a couple of late kills as VU earned the 25-11 set three victory.

Why Is It Important?: The Lions reset and dominated with their best hitting and blocking effort of the season.

What Was Said?: "It was great to see the team come out with a renewed focus tonight," said Head Coach Brian Rofer. "We did struggle a bit from the service line the first set which is something we really need to address. Overall, the intensity was there and we're finding as a team that when you play with focus and intensity the game is a whole lot of fun no matter the opponent."

What's Next?: VU faces its most formidable test yet, traveling to No. 1 The Master's on Friday at 6:00 p.m.