Match #9
ART U Urban Knights (2-6) vs. William Jessup Warriors (1-14)
Thursday, September15, 2011 at 7:00 PM
San Francisco, CA - Kezar Pavilion
Live Stats

Match #10
ART U Urban Knights (2-6) vs. Dominican Penguins (0-6)
Saturday, September 17, 2011 at 7:00 PM
San Francisco, CA - Kezar Pavilion
Live Stats

OPENING SERVE
After opening the year with back-to-back tournaments in Arcata, CA and Grand Junction, CO, Academy of Art heads home to take on William Jessup (Rocklin, CA) and Dominican University (San Rafael, CA). On Thursday, the Urban Knights will take on the Warriors from William Jessup to wrap up their non-conference schedule. On Saturday, ART U welcomes in the Dominican Penguins to open up PacWest conference play. Both games will be at 7:00 p.m. at Kezar Pavilion and Live Stats will be available.

ON THE APPROACH
ART U finished strong to conclude its participation in the Holiday Inn Crossroads Classic on Saturday night. ART U put away Colorado Mesa 3-1 (27-25, 11-25, 25-21, 25-23) with an exciting fourth set finish and a consistent defensive effort. Despite four Urban Knights posting double-digit kills in the first match, Fort Lewis edged out the Urban Knights 3-2 (25-20, 18-25, 25-23, 21-25, 15-10). Freshman middle blocker Ka'ena Kaina had 18 kills against Fort Lewis, and outside hitter Leinani Keanini had a double double in both matches (17 kills, 13 digs vs. FLC, 12 kills, 19 digs vs. CMU).

SETTING THE TABLE
The Urban Knights are riding a hot streak by freshman setter Kawai Oleole, who garnered a selection to the PacWest Weekly Top 10 Honor Roll last week after putting up big numbers at the Holiday Inn Crossroads Classic in Grand Junction, CO. Oleole led the PacWest in total assists for the week, totaling 169 assists in 18 sets at the Holiday Inn Crossroads Classic. The Honolulu, HI native was third for the week in assist average (9.39), and totaled 50 assists in the five set marathon against Fort Lewis. For the year, Oleole ranks fourth in the PacWest with a 9.12 assist average, and is second in the conference for total assists with 301.

GOING TO WAR
The William Jessup Warriors (1-14) have had a rough go at the beginning of 2011, dropping their first 12 contests before notching a win against UC Merced in their own William Jessup Invitational last week. The NAIA team is led by outside hitter Hannah Baldwin, who tops her team's charts in aces (24) and kills (132), and has notched back-to-back matches with double-digit kills. Setter Zoey Gilbert had a career-high 31 assists against Arizona Christian, and averages 3.80 assists per game. Libero Molly Collins is leading the team with 3.60 digs per game.

PENGUINS ON ICE
Dominican (0-6) looks to get on the right track after dropping their first six matches of the season, including a loss to #3-ranked Cal State San Bernadino back on Sept. 3. Head Coach Gayle Stammer was frustrated by her team's struggles serving and passing in their home opener against Holy Names last week. Sophomore outside hitter Seluia Falealili is leading the Penguins in total kills (37) and kills per set (1.95). She is closely followed by freshman Samantha Rains (35, 1.84) and sophomore Jessica Jones (34, 1.79). Rains also leads the team in blocks (12.0) and points per set (2.34), and junior setter Sarah Bain leads the team in assists with 94.

TAKING ON THE BEST
Head Coach Allison Magner has lined up one of the most challenging schedules for the Knights. ART U is slated to play 12 regular season matches against teams ranked in the preseason poll, and two against teams that made appearances in the 2010 NCAA Tournament.

SOCIAL NETWORKING
Remember to check @UrbanKnightNews on Twitter for score updates and recaps. Also become a fan of the Knights on Facebook by 'Like'-ing the Urban Knights page.

GET TO THE GAME
Show your pride at the I Am Urban Knight Volleyball Home Opener this Thursday 9/15! Fan Bus Sign Ups are now online! Act quickly as only the first 40 submissions will secure their spot on the Fan Bus! If you're not one of the first 40, you can still come support your Urban Knights via the N Judah Muni route to Carl St & Stanyan St - Find details here.

LOOKING AHEAD
ART U will head to San Rafael to take on Dominican again on the road next Saturday. The match will be at the Conlan Recreation Center at 7:00 P.M.