Box Score Riverside, CA – In their first PacWest Conference rematch of the season, Academy of Art Volleyball took a tough 3-0 loss (25-18, 25-14, 25-20) to California Baptist on the road. ART U held a 7-1 lead in the third set, but the Lancers were guided by strong support inside Van Dyne Gym and rallied back for the victory.
It was short rallies by both sides to start the opening set as CBU went up 5-2, but a
Margaret Winkler kill soon helped the Knights tie it up 5-5. After an 8-8 score, the Lancers began to pull away with another 5-2 push and a critical moment came at 18-12 with the home team on top. Sophomore
Melissa Brum and her three kills then spearheaded a 4-0 comeback, but California Baptist finished off a first set victory 25-18 by way of a 6-2 run.
An early lead on multiple kills by Michelle Waber had CBU up 13-6 to start the second set. The Lancers expanded that margin to 18-8 when sophomore
Emily Papale and Brum each nailed down kills to give their team life. However, California Baptist was simply too close to the set's finale and, as the teams traded points, CBU won 25-14.
In the third, Academy of Art jumped out to an 8-2 lead as Papale and junior
Isabel Emrich swung with success. The Lancers then drew upon their home environment to come roaring back with a 9-4 surge that soon had the set tied 13-13. ART U stayed within a single point for a while after the ties, but California Baptist then created separation once again with a 6-1 run, eventually winning 25-20 for the match victory.
ART U is now 8-8 overall this season with a 3-5 PacWest record. Brum led the Knights with a team-high 10 kills and eight digs while Papale added six kills. Junior
Rachael Smith delivered 22 assists and six digs.
Academy of Art continues its Southern California roadtrip tomorrow evening, Oct. 11, with first serve against Point Loma set for 7:00 PM.
