FULLERTON, Calif. - The Simpson University Red Hawks had their five-game win streak snapped tonight as they fell to Hope International in four sets. 

A kill by Afatia Thompson Jr. early in the first set gave Simpson the 4-3 advantage before the Royals scored five unanswered points to take the 8-4 lead and never looked back as they took the first set 25-20. 

Simpson jumped out to the early 4-0 lead as Dehryn Brown posted a kill and Diego Chavez and David Raffaelli notched a block. 

Facing a one-point deficit, the Royals went on a key 7-3 run to take the 19-14 lead. Simpson's last push came on a 4-1 run to make it a 20-18 game. But the Royals closed out the second set victory by the score of 25-20 to take the 2-0 match lead. 

Simpson returned the favor in the fourth set as they trailed by one midway through the set, 13-12. A 11-4 swing in favor of the Red Hawks allowed them to grab the 23-17 lead. 

Ethan Rodriguez posted an ace, Jacob Shelton, Brown, and Chavez all posted a kill, while Luke Konjoyan, Chavez, and Shelton each posted a block. 

A kill by Shelton and a duo block by Shelton and Ben Stuerman capped off the 25-20 third set victory for the Red Hawks. 

A swing of rallies and momentum between the Royals and Red Hawks built a thrilling fourth set that went beyond the 25-point mark. Simpson held set point twice on a block by Konjoyan and Chavez and a block by Stuerman and Shelton. 

However, the Royals closed out the match with three straight points to take the 29-27 victory. 

Brown led the Red Hawks with 18 kills and 11 digs, while Shelton had a stellar game in the net by posting nine kills and six total blocks. 

Simpson gets back into conference action on Friday as they take on Westcliff at 6 pm to conclude their SoCal road trip. 
 

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