FULLERTON, Calif. - The Red Hawks began the Summer Slam Invite hosted by Hope International today as they played two games on the first day of play. 

Coming off a convincing straight-set victory against West Coast Baptist last night, Simpson took on The Masters University in the morning game of the day. 

Simpson drew first blood on an ace by Madison Kammuller followed by a kill by outside hitter Mallory Swenson to grab the early lead. 

But the Mustangs came roaring back and outscored Simpson 18-5 to take the commanding 19-7 lead. 

A late rally that included a kill by Mariah Napoleon and an ace by Abigail Shackelford could not overcome the deficit as the Mustangs took set one, 25-15. 

The Red Hawks answered back in set two as they took the early 4-2 lead on back-to-back kills by Katie Graham, a kill by Napoleon, and an ace by Kare Ann Oshiro.

The Mustangs regained the 11-7 advantage before three straight SU points pulled them within one on an ace by Mackenzie Tataryn and kills by Oshiro and Madison Kammuller. 

But the Mustangs flipped the score and took a commanding 22-13 lead on a 10-2 run. 

The Red Hawks did not shy away as they came storming back on an 8-1 run that forced a Mustang timeout to pull within three. 

Simpson pulled out the cards as Abigail Shackelford, Tiara Manns, and Mackenzie Tataryn all recorded aces during the impressive run. 

But the Red Hawks faced set point and continued to fight as two straight kills by Oshiro and Swenson pulled Simpson within one before a set-tying dual block by Swenson and Graham. 

The Masters went on to take the 25-24 advantage on a huge kill. But Simpson flipped the script as a kill by Napoleon tied the game and a kill by Manns set up SU for set point. 

Kare Ann Oshiro had the final swing to complete the second set come back as she served up Simpson's eighth ace of the set to take the second set thriller 27-25. 

Simpson looked to keep the momentum going as a block by Oshiro and Shackelford put Simpson on the board first in the third set. 

However, the Mustangs played a dominant third set as they went on to take set three 25-13 to take the 2-1 match advantage. 

The Red Hawks drew first blood in the fourth set on a Mallory Swenson kill. 

The Mustangs doubled up Simpson and grabbed the commanding 18-9 lead. 

Simpson battled back on a 6-2 run which included an ace by Shackelford and kills by Oshiro and Graham to pull SU within five. 

The Red Hawks looked to rally late as a kill by Oshiro pulled Simpson within striking distance, 24-20. But the Mustangs prevailed and took set four 25-20 for the victory. 

Mariah Napoleon, Kare Ann Oshiro, and Katie Graham led the team with eight kills each and combined for five aces, two blocks, and 15 digs. 

Mackenzie Tataryn and Abigail Shackelford played a key role as they combined for 28 assists, seven aces, and 12 digs. 

Madison Kammuller had a team-high 12 digs to go along with one ace and one kill. 

Simpson looked to bounce back in game two as they took on host school, Hope International. 

The Royals grabbed the early 3-0 lead before Simpson went on a 12-5 run to take the 12-8 lead. 

During the run, Tiara Manns recorded three kills while Dani Rydjord notched two kills. 

But the Royals looked to take the first set as they held match point with a six-point lead.  

However, the Red Hawks never quit and reeled off four straight points thanks to a kill by Manns and an ace by Shackelford to pull Simpson within two. 

But the Royals prevailed and took the first set 25-22 to take the 1-0 match lead. 

Simpson kept the momentum going as they came out firing in set two as they took the early 4-0 lead on a kill by Brooklynn Wybenga and an ace by Mackenzie Tataryn. 

The Royals regained the lead 13-9 before four straight points by SU tied the game. 

Simpson and Hope went back and forth exchanging rallies as the game remained tied at 15. But a crucial 9-3 Royals run doomed Simpson as they dropped set two 25-18. 

Set three did not disappoint as it remained a tightly knitted contest. 

The Royals never relinquished the lead but Simpson kept nipping at the Royals heels. 

Simpson looked to play a comeback again as they faced an eight-point deficit midway through the third set. 

A kill by Graham qued a 9-3 run that saw Simpson close the gap and trail only by two points, 20-18. 

After going back and forth the Red Hawks pulled within one 24-23 on a kill by Napoleon and an ace by Oshiro. 

Hope survived the set three thriller as they closed out the third and final set with a kill to take the match in straight sets. 

Tiara Manns had a team-high six kills to go along with one block.

Mackenzie Tataryn and Abigail Shackelford split time at the setter position and combined for 13 digs, 15 assists, and four aces. 

Madison Kammuller had a monster game as she notched a season-best 22 digs. 

Simpson continues play tomorrow in the Summer Slam Invite as they take on Arizona Christian at 8 am and Life Pacific College at 2 pm.