BOX SCORE

FULLERTON, Calif. --- Senior middle blocker Kelsey Christoferson recorded 10 kills and added a pair of blocks as Biola defeated Hope International University 25-13, 25-18, 25-17 in the GSAC opener for both teams Tuesday night in Fullerton.

The Eagles, who moved up to No. 17 in the latest NAIA National rankings, improve to 10-2 on the season and to 1-0 in conference play. The Royals drop to 3-6 overall and to 0-1 in the GSAC.

Christoferson had 10 kills and committed just two kills in 16 attempts for a .500 attack percentage. Freshman outside hitter Nicolette Mather continue her strong play this season, adding eight kills and an impressive .538 attack percentage.

The Eagles jumped out to a quick lead in the match thanks to a strong hitting performance to take the first set 25-13. In that set, Biola recorded a .579 team attack percentage with 13 kills in 19 swings while committing just two errors.

The Eagles jumped out to a quick 9-3 and stretched it up to an 18-8 advantage before exchanging points down the stretch for the win.

In the second set, the two teams were going back and forth before freshman Janae O'Connor broke a 9-9 tie by serving four straight points for the Eagles, including a pair of her match-high six aces. Biola would continue to hold at least a three-point lead and slowly pulled away near the end of the set.

The third set again was won by the strong serving of O'Connor, who served out six-straight points to give the Eagles an early 11-6 lead. Hope closed the gap slowly and closed the gap to 18-17. However, after a kill by Christoferson, O'Connor returned to the back row and served out the final six points of the match.

Overall, O'Connor served 28 times and 22 of her serves resulted in points for the Eagles.

Biola returns to action on Saturday (Sept. 12), hosting No. 2-ranked Concordia University in a GSAC match at 7:00 p.m. at Chase Gymnasium.