Benedictine University Mesa

The Benedictine University Mesa women's volleyball team pushed Hope International to the brink on Thursday night before falling in a hard-fought five-set GSAC contest at Darling Pavilion. The Redhawks rallied from an opening-set loss to claim the next two sets but were unable to close out the match, falling 21-25, 25-14, 25-17, 18-25, 14-16. 

After dropping the opening set, Benedictine responded with dominant performances in the second and third frames. The Redhawks hit .310 in the second set and used a balanced offensive attack along with five service aces to even the match. Benedictine carried that momentum into the third set, taking advantage of Hope International errors while collecting four team blocks to move within one set of securing the road victory. 

Hope International answered in the fourth set, using a strong offensive effort to force a decisive fifth set. The final frame featured multiple lead changes and ties as neither side could create separation. Benedictine built an 8-6 advantage midway through the set and later tied the score at 14-14, but the Royals claimed the final two points to secure the conference win. 

Sophie Drollinger paced the Redhawk offense with a match-high 24 kills while hitting .328 and adding 15 digs for a double-double. Kylie Malone added 13 kills, while Marley Cortez contributed nine kills and three block assists. 

Benedictine received strong play from its setters as Taylee Wilson recorded 21 assists and 10 digs, while Kiara Milar added 21 assists and two service aces. Defensively, Adina Ortiz collected 19 digs and three aces, while Sophie Schonauer chipped in 13 digs.

At the net, the Redhawks totaled 10 team blocks. BellaRose Branconier led the effort with six total blocks, while Camille Collins added four and Janae Moore contributed three. Benedictine also put pressure on the Royals from the service line, finishing with 11 aces in the match. 

Despite being out-hit by a narrow margin, Benedictine finished with 51 kills, 82 digs, 52 assists, and 11 service aces while forcing the Royals into 34 attacking errors.