VOLLEYBALL (M)

1/28/10 - #2 Royals Open Season With Trip to Missouri and Colorado

Fullerton, CA- Hope International Men's Volleyball will open their 2010 season by traveling to St. Charles, MO, to participate in the Lindenwood Invitational.  The Royals, who open their season ranked #2 in the NAIA, will face four teams ranked in the NAIA Top 10 at the invitational.  They will conclude their road trip with a match at Missouri Valley and Johnson & Wales in Colorado.

Their first match of the season on Friday will pit them against #4 Park University- two seasons removed from being the NAIA champs.  Last year, the Royals knocked off the Pirates to end their season in pool play of the NAIA National Invitational.  This year, the Pirates have already upset then #2 Lindenwood.

For their second match on Friday, the Royals will meet up with #10 Missouri Baptist.  The Spartans host #1 California Baptist on Thursday night being play at Lindenwood on Friday.  They are currently 1-0 on the season as they swept Missouri Valley to open their season.

On Saturday, the Royals will return to action against #9 Graceland.  The Yellowjackets enter the invitational with a 2-3 record after falling to Hannibal-LaGrange on Tuesday night.

To conclude their invitational schedule, the Royals will face off with host #5 Lindenwood- the defending NAIA champs.  The Lions will enter invitational play 1-2 on the season.  Their lone win of the year came against Missouri Valley on Tuesday night.

Before returning home, the Royals will travel to St. Louis, MO, to meet up with Missouri Valley on Sunday.  After traveling on Monday to Denver, CO, the Royals will go head to head with #6 Johnson & Wales on Tuesday night.

The 2010 Royals are led by 2009 NAIA Coach of the Year Victor Jennings-Santiago.  Hope International returns 10 players from last year’s squad lead by NAIA All-American Libero Noah Casaquit and Opposite Hitter Alex Figueiredo.  Coach Jennings-Santiago added nine new faces to the team including three from Long Beach City College (Defensive Specialist Tyler Mullen, Setter Andrew Marques, and Middle Blocker Brett Massetti) and the Guerreiro brothers- Kaimi and Mana- who are both outside hitters.

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