In a tightly contested battle at the Arizona Athletic Grounds on Wednesday, Benedictine University Mesa outlasted no. 7 Hope International University, earning a 3–2 victory in a match that came down to the final flights.
The Redhawks showcased resilience across multiple courts, overcoming early deficits and capturing three consecutive three-set wins to secure the overall match.
Flight-by-Flight Breakdown
Flight 2:
The momentum began with
Amaya Evans and
Nichole Gary, who delivered a gritty comeback win for Benedictine Mesa. After dropping a close first set 21–23, the pair regrouped to take the next two sets 21–18 and 15–13, giving the Redhawks their first point of the afternoon.
Flight 4:
BENU extended its lead when
Ella Burton and
Isabella Garey also rallied back from a one-set deficit. Trailing after a 17–21 opening frame, the duo responded with a strong 21–14 performance before clinching the flight 15–11 in the third.
Flight 5:
Hope International stopped the Redhawks' early charge as Macy Thornburg and Phoebe Sebby controlled their match from start to finish, defeating
Bailey Prieto and
Janae Moore 21–12, 21–10 to pull HIU within a point.
Flight 3:
The Redhawks secured the match behind another resilient effort, this time from
Daisy Motes and
Izabella Duchaine. Despite dropping the first set 20–22, the pair dominated the next two frames 21–13 and 15–5 to push BENU to its decisive third point.
Flight 1:
HIU closed the match with a victory in the top flight as Bryce Swain and Sabrina Galassi edged out
Taylor Erickson and
Sophie Drollinger in straight sets, 22–20, 21–19. Though the Royals claimed the final court, Benedictine Mesa's earlier wins had already sealed the result.
