FULLERTON, Calif. -- Vanguard STUNT traveled to Hope International Thursday night for a meeting with the Royals.  The Lions had defeated the Royals in the previous seven encounters, but an improved HIU squad took its first win against Vanguard with an 18-9 decision.  VU falls to 6-3 on the season and Hope International jumps to 16-2.
 
 
What Happened?  The Royals had a better first quarter of partner stunts than the Lions, as HIU bagged the first four points up for grabs.  VU snared its first point after that and entered the second quarter of pyramids and tosses down 5-1.  The squads split the next two routines, putting the score at 6-2 in favor of HIU.  The Royals turned up the pressure by taking the final two points of the frame, as HIU led 8-2 at halftime. 
 
The Blue and Gold have been a strong jumps and tumbling group all season, but Hope was up to the task, as VU narrowly took the third frame 3-2 to trail 10-5 entering the mixed routines of the fourth quarter.  The Royals doubled up the Lions in the final portion of the contest, as the 8-4 score in the fourth gave HIU an 18-9 win.

Grace Hartanov was the highest-rated player for VU, as she was responsible for 23 points.  Tatum Thompson was the stunter of the game and Alexis Jimenez was the tumbler of the contest.
 
What was Said?  "We were down a couple of key players after some injuries hit this week in practice," said Head Coach Leslie Allen.  "But the team rallied and played each quarter with some players in new positions.  The Lions were courageous tonight."
 
What's Next?  The schedule serves up a matchup with the current NAIA powerhouse, as the Lions travel to Jessup to play the Warriors next Friday, March 15, at 5:00 p.m.  The squad will then play Sonoma State at two hours later.