Benedictine University Mesa delivered a gritty, resilient performance Friday night, rallying from an opening-set loss to defeat Hope International in a dramatic five-set showdown, capped by a dominant performance in the decisive frame.

After dropping the first set, the Redhawks answered with composure and intensity, winning two of the next three sets and closing the match with authority to secure the victory on the road.

Match Breakdown
Hope International struck first, controlling the opening set and building momentum early to take a 25–19 win. Benedictine Mesa struggled to find rhythm offensively but settled in as the match progressed.

The second set proved to be the turning point — and one of the most intense frames of the season. The teams traded leads throughout an extended battle that pushed well beyond regulation. Benedictine Mesa relied on balanced attacking, clutch blocking, and timely service runs to pull out a marathon 43–41 win, evening the match at one set apiece and shifting momentum.

Feeding off the energy from the second set, the Redhawks carried that surge into the third. Benedictine Mesa jumped out early and never relinquished control, using strong net play and offensive efficiency to secure a 25–18 win and take its first lead of the match.

Hope International responded in the fourth set, capitalizing on long rallies and forcing key points late to escape with a 26–24 victory, sending the match to a deciding fifth set.

In the final frame, Benedictine Mesa left no doubt. The Redhawks jumped out to an early advantage and closed the match with poise, riding a balanced attack and aggressive defense to a commanding 15–8 win and the five-set victory.

Team Effort at the Net
Benedictine Mesa showcased depth and balance across the lineup, with multiple attackers contributing key kills and the blocking unit consistently disrupting Hope International's offense. The Redhawks' ability to respond after the opening-set loss and rebound after a tight fourth set highlighted their composure and competitiveness. 

Set Scores

• Set 1: Hope International 25, Benedictine Mesa 19
• Set 2: Benedictine Mesa 43, Hope International 41
• Set 3: Benedictine Mesa 25, Hope International 18
• Set 4: Hope International 26, Benedictine Mesa 24
• Set 5: Benedictine Mesa 15, Hope International 8