Box Score
San Francisco, CA --- In front of an eager crowd tonight at Kezar Pavilion the Urban Knights hoped to keep their win streak alive. Unfortunately for the fans and the team, the Urban Knights dropped the match in 4 sets, 17-25, 23-25, 27-25, 23-25. Hawaii Pacific handed ART U their first loss in conference and sixth loss overall. HPU improves to 9-2 on the year and 2-2 in conference play.

It was a rocky start tonight for the Urban Knights on their home court. The first set saw ART U commit 12 errors and connect for just five kills. As a team the Urban Knights ended set one with a -.184  hitting percentage. “After the first set, I reminded my team of just how good we were,” Head Coach Allison Magner said. “I told them to believe in themselves and each other and go out there and play with no fear!” Magner continued.

The wise words were just what the team needed as they entered into the second set. It seemed as if a whole new team took the floor, as ART U dominated the second set until late in the game. With the Urban Knights up 17-13 it looked as if it would be smooth sailing for the win. Hawaii Pacific, however, did not go down without a fight as they clawed their way back into the match, tying the set at 20-20 and then taking their first lead of the set 20-21. The Urban Knights tied the set at 23-23 but a kill by HPU and an attack error by ART U closed the set, 23-25.

With their backs against the wall, the Urban Knights pulled out all the stops in an impressive third set. ART U struck first, opening on a powerful kill by Dan Yang, which set the tone for the rest of the third. 13 ties and six lead changes later the Urban Knights' life in the match was renewed. ART U took set three 27-25, and pushed the match to a fourth set. The Urban Knights were 6-1 prior to this match in games that went to more than three sets.

It looked as though ART U would keep that streak alive through set four. But, costly errors mixed with the Sea Warriors strong attack were too tough down the stretch for the Urban Knights to handle, and despite keeping the set close ART U dropped the set and the match 23-25. “Everyone had big moments for us tonight. But, HPU is a very respectable team and it was a tough match that came down to errors in the end,” Magner said.

For HPU Sonoe Recca had a team high 15 kills and 10 digs. While Natasha Bell was right behind her with 14 kills, 16 digs and five block assists. As a team the Sea Warriors registered 14.5 blocks, with Kelly Balanay batting down nine block assists and one block solo.

Dan Yang led the Urban Knights again with 21 kills, eight digs, a block solo, and two block assists. Amy Bush finished the match with five kills, seven block assist and one block solo. Nicolette Hagan, Camille Board and Angela Heath each finished the match with seven kills a piece. While Melissa Cheng dished out a match high 41 assists.

“We battled hard tonight. We will learn a lesson from this and continue to rise to the top,” said Magner.

The Academy of Art women's volleyball team returns to Kezar Pavilion Friday October 8 at 7:00 PM, for a conference match against BYU-Hawaii.