Lawrence Tech University powered past Hope International 3-1 on Tuesday night, using an efficient, balanced offense to claim a non-conference men's volleyball win at Don Ridler Fieldhouse in Southfield, Michigan. The Blue Devils took the match by set scores of 25-8, 25-14, 21-25 and 25-18, finishing with 50 kills and a .391 hitting percentage while holding the visitors to 29 kills and a .074 clip.

Middle blocker Yegor Volkov led the way for Lawrence Tech with 13 kills on .611 hitting, four service aces and a match-best 20 points. Outside hitter Mario Cid added 10 kills and nine digs, and setter Pedro Aguiar efficiently ran the offense with 41 assists while chipping in four kills of his own. The Blue Devils also owned a 27-18 advantage in digs and committed just two reception errors on the night.

Lawrence Tech set the tone early with a dominant opening set. Behind aggressive serving from Volkov and others, the Blue Devils put together an extended run to build a double-digit lead and never let Hope International settle into system. Multiple aces and transition kills stretched the margin to 25-8, with the set ending on a Hope International attack error to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.

The Blue Devils continued to control the match in the second set, again using pressure from the service line and strong work at the pins to pull away. Gustavo Machado contributed key kills during the middle of the frame as Lawrence Tech turned a modest edge into another comfortable cushion. The Blue Devils closed out the set 25-14 to go up 2-0, hitting efficiently while limiting Hope International's clean swings through a solid block and back-row defense.

Hope International responded in the third, stabilizing serve-receive and finding more rhythm offensively. Outside hitter Jah'mi Jeter sparked the visitors with eight kills in the match and three block participations, helping the Royals* build a double-digit advantage at one point in the set. Lawrence Tech made a late push, but Hope International finished the frame on a kill from Travis Donahue to secure a 25-21 win and extend the match to a fourth set.

Lawrence Tech quickly regained control in the fourth. The Blue Devils' block tightened and the offense spread out again, with Aguiar distributing touches across the front line. With Cid, Volkov and opposite hitter Noah Lippman all contributing kills, the hosts methodically rebuilt a multi-point lead and kept Hope International from mounting a sustained run. Fittingly, Lippman capped the night with a kill to close out a 25-18 set and the 3-1 victory.

Statistically, Lawrence Tech's efficiency and depth proved decisive. The Blue Devils finished with 45 assists on 50 kills, nine service aces and 7.0 total blocks, compared with Hope International's 26 assists, two aces and 11.0 team blocks. Jeter (eight kills, three blocks, two digs, 10.0 points) and Donahue (six kills, five block participations, 8.5 points) led Hope International in the loss. The match, officiated by Augusto Dumlao and Dana Fuller, drew an announced attendance of 30.

Lawrence Tech now turns its attention back to WHAC and non-conference play with momentum, having showcased a high-powered offense and improved ball control in front of the home crowd at Don Ridler Fieldhouse.