SAN FRANCISCO – Despite taking the first set with a strong start out of the gate, ART U volleyball ended up falling to Fresno Pacific 3-1 (21-25, 25-19, 25-11, 25-18) in Pacific West Conference play.

The match began with Academy of Art jumping in front 6-1 after four kills by junior outside hitter Melissa Brum. FPU made adjustments, however, and steadily climbed back in, coming as close as 20-19 late in the first set. A pair of important putaways by sophomore middle blocker Amorelle Applin separated the Urban Knights before a block by sophomore outside hitter Bailey Soolsma and sophomore middle blocker Margaret Winkler gave ART U the 25-21 victory.

Fresno Pacific mirrored Academy of Art with a 6-2 lead to open the second set and, though ART U came to within one point at 10-9, the Knights would not gain a lead due to FPU's 6-0 run. The eventual result was a 25-19 Sunbirds win to even the match. That momentum carried into set three where surges of 11-3, 7-3, and later six of the final seven points put Fresno Pacific ahead 2-1.

Though freshman outside hitter Stine Raben's early kill got Academy of Art ahead 5-2, a steady 7-3 push by the visitors kept them in long enough to go on another 6-1 run and end the match on top 3-1.

Academy of Art moves to 6-15 overall and 2-11 in conference after a night in which Raben totaled 15 kills, senior setter Rachael Smith added 44 assists, and junior libero Kabrina Speakman posted 24 digs.

Now 6-12 overall and 6-7 in PacWest play, Fresno Pacific was led by Gabriela Macedo's match-high 16 kills and 15 digs.

A lone road match this Saturday, Oct. 31 breaks up a home-heavy late season with the Urban Knights traveling to Holy Names' Tobin Gymnasium for a 7 p.m. match on Halloween.