Despite hitting well, The Master’s University women’s volleyball team lost a road match to the Hope International Royals in four sets Saturday in Fullerton.

The Lady Mustangs (15-11, 5-7 GSAC) out-hit the Royals .262 to .253, but gave up seven more kills and three more aces in the 25-17, 25-27, 15-25, 20-25 loss.

“We had a great match offensively, we just didn’t take care of the ball on defense,” said TMU Head Coach Annett Davis. “Looking forward to some hard work this week, and making some tweaks.”

The pivotal set was clearly the second. After TMU easily won the first set, the Royals quickly jumped out to a 7-2 lead in the second. But the Lady Mustangs fought back, as they have done so often this season, going a 14-7 run to take the lead 16-14. Moments later, The Master’s had set point, 24-22, only to have HIU get three points in a row to create their own set point. After a Royals attack error tied it at 25-25, a Lady Mustangs service error and a Royals kill gave Hope the win.

The Master’s fell behind early in the third set and stayed behind, with the fourth set finding the Lady Mustangs up 9-8, only to see the Royals go on a 15-5 run to take a 23-14 lead. Despite a TMU comeback, the lead was too much and the Royals took the fourth set 25-20 to win the match.

Ruby Duncan finished with 20 kills, followed by Faith Tarver with 17 kills and 20 digs. Timberlie Miller; provided 49 assists, with Sierra Hale getting a team-high 23 digs.

The Master’s will have their final two matches of the regular season at home in The MacArthur Center, beginning with the No. 25 Jessup Warriors Friday night at 6 p.m. Then Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m., The Lady Mustangs will celebrate Senior Day with their final match of the regular season against Menlo College. The Oaks currently sit in second place in the GSAC standings.

The top six teams make the GSAC Championship Tournament, which will be held at Life Pacific University in San Dimas, Calif. Right now TMU is in fifth place.