LA MIRADA, Calif. --- Sophomore Christine Douglas recorded 20 kills and Biola posted a season-best .402 attack percentage en route to a quick 25-13, 25-18, 25-20 victory over Hope International in the Eagles' home and GSAC opener on Tuesday night.

The Eagles, who are ranked No. 10 in the latest NAIA National Ratings, improve to 8-3 on the season and to 1-0 in conference play. The Royals drop to 3-3 and 0-2 in the GSAC.

Douglas led the firing squad for Biola, recording 20 kills in 36 swings and adding an ace and a block. Senior middle blocker Tavea Hampton added eight kills and four blocks while sophomore Nicolette Mather record six kills and no errors in nine swings.

The Eagles jumped all over the Royals in the first set, recording 20 kills in 29 swings with just one error for an impressive .655 attack percentage. After building an early lead, Biola exchanged points with Hope through the middle of the set. But the Eagles turned it on late, outscoring the Royals 13-4 over the final half of the set to cruise to victory.

Biola continued its hot hitting through the first part of the second set, jumping out to a 7-1 lead thanks to three kills by Douglas and blocks by Hampton and freshman Tori Carroll. Biola continued to pull away and led 18-10 before Hope made a bit of a run to gut the lead to 18-14. The Eagles would let the visitors get no closer the rest of the way and held on for a 25-18 win.

In the third set, Hope kept the score close throughout, but was never able to get past the Eagles late. Biola led by one at 16-15 but steadily pulled away with a quick 4-1 run, then was able to exchange points the rest of the way, wrapping up the match on a kill by Douglas.

Naomi Iosia led Hope with 11 kills, but had nine errors in 33 swings. She also added two aces and three digs.

Carroll, who was making her fourth collegiate start, recorded four kills with no errors and had three blocks and three assists. 

Senior setter Abbie Wright recorded a team-high 17 assists and added eight digs and two aces for the Eagles, who were able to get all 16 players some court time.

Biola returns to action on Saturday (Sept. 11), heading south to face No. 2 Concordia University in a GSAC match at 7:00 p.m. The two teams have become intense rivals over the last few years and another epic match is expected on Saturday. Concordia barely edged unranked Vanguard in its GSAC opener on Tuesday, pulling out a five-set win in Costa Mesa.