Hope makes quick work of 'Cats

Johnson & Wales hosted #5 Hope International on Friday night in the Wildcat Center in the opening match of a home and home series with the Royals. The Wildcat looked lost through the match struggling to gain momentum and string together points. The first set had the Royals go on a 7 point run to lead the contest 14-4 and quickly put the set out of reach for the 'Cats. Behind the serving of Blake Walden, Johnson & Wales was able to put some points together in the end but it was too late to make a difference as they fell 25-12.

In the second set, the 'Cats errors again were their down fall as the Royals held a 15-3 advantage early. Again with Walden serving JWU started to build up some points but HIU already had the outcome in their pocket dropping Johnson & Wales 25-13.

In the third set, Johnson & Wales started to make some headway and held the 4-2 advantage but committed two errors being out rotation setting the Royals up for a six point run. The two sides traded short scoring spurts throughout the remainder of the contest, but again Hope International controlled the tempo and took the 25-17 victory.

Johnson & Wales fell 12-25, 13-25, 17-25 to the #5 Royals and will face them again on Saturday at 1pm in the Wildcat Center. Walden finished the night with six kills for JWU and .231 attacking while Alex Beehner came up with 5 digs. Thomas Cervetti had 9 kills for the Royals and Danilo Pereira had 21 assists.