FULLERTON, Calif. - The men's volleyball squad kicked off its SoCal road trip today taking on Hope International this afternoon. 

Coming off a victory over the Pioneers this weekend, the Red Hawks came out strong as they took the first set convincingly 25-16. 

The Royals grabbed the early 6-3 lead before Simpson scored five straight points on a kill by Kobe Valdez and a duo block by Valdez and Jacob Shelton. 

Simpson continued to roll as they closed out the first set on a 6-1 run on an ace by Valdez, a kill by Akira Davies, and blocks by Micah Nakasato and Shelton. 

A block by Nakasato and Shelton tied the game at five early in the second set before the Royals went on a 6-2 run to take the 11-6 lead.

The Royals never looked back as they returned the favor by taking set two 25-16 to tie the match 1-1. 

A kill by Francis Gates got Simpson on the board and a kill by reigning Cal Pac attacker of the Week, Kaleb Cui, gave Simpson the early 5-4 lead. 

But the Royals went on a 12-2 run to take the commanding 16-6 lead as they closed out the third set 25-14 to take the 2-1 match advantage. 

Simpson benefited in the fourth set on a few Hope errors, but they could not slow down the Royals as they dominated the fourth set with a 25-7 victory to take the match in four sets. 

Valdez had a share of the team-high six kills as he posted a .364 hitting percentage to go along with four blocks. 

Shelton had a big game in the middle as he posted a team-high six blocks while Nakasato notched 15 assists. 

Simpson looks to continue its SoCal road trip tomorrow as they take on The Master's University at 7 pm. 
 

Be sure to stay up to date and follow us at @simpsonredhawks on Instagram, Facebook, and X.