SAN FRANCISCO – Following an emotional Senior Day ceremony prior to first serve, Academy of Art University volleyball overcame Pacific West Conference rival Dominican for the 3-1 victory (15-25, 25-9, 25-16, 26-24). Senior setter Rachael Smith and senior opposite Isabel Emrich both made strong contributions to the win in their final career match.

"This day is always full of emotion for all of us, players and staff," said head coach Ray Batalon. "I'm very happy for our seniors who had the opportunity to end on a high note. This has certainly been a challenging year for us and I'm glad we were able to finish with a good run. Today, we wanted to play for them."

Dominican proved to be no easy opponent in the early going after a 7-2 run put the visitors up 18-11. Smith and Emrich synced up for the first time offensively to stop the Penguins' surge, but with seven of the final 11 points going their way, Dominican captured the first set 25-15.

Responding to an encouraging atmosphere around them inside Kezar Pavilion, ART U came out on fire in the second set. Junior outside hitter Melissa Brum and Emrich put away kills on the Urban Knights' first four points and soon a slam by sophomore middle blocker Amorelle Applin put Academy of Art ahead 10-5. The Knights only continued to become stronger, launching into an 8-0 surge off a kill by freshman outside hitter Stine Raben. From there, back-to-back spikes by Brum finished off four unanswered points to conclude the set with ART U on top 25-9.

Academy of Art pushed a 5-1 lead to start the third frame, but it was not until a second 5-1 run that the Knights truly created separation. Raben and Applin's combined block emphatically put ART U ahead 12-8 and soon three straight points including back-to-back kills by Smith made it a six-point advantage. The margin would be extended beyond down the stretch as Academy of Art gained a 2-1 lead with the 25-16 third set victory.

Mirroring the previous game, ART U went ahead 5-1 in the fourth after four consecutive slams by Brum. Shortly thereafter, Raben's kill initiated six of seven Knights points for a 15-8 advantage. The Penguins, however, steadily worked their way back to within a single point at 21-20, yet Academy of Art refused to concede its lead. Soon Smith set Applin for match point at 24-22, but consecutive Dominican kills made the set up for grabs at 24-24. In the end, the Knights capitalized on two Penguin errors to finish the day with a 26-24 victory.

The win finishes ART U's season at 10-18 overall, 6-14 in the PacWest. Brum posted a season-high 25 kills and 11 digs for her 12th double-double of the year while Smith completed her collegiate career having registered five consecutive double-doubles after 44 assists and 18 digs on Saturday. Raben delivered nine kills, Applin had eight kills, and Emrich put up six kills in her collegiate finale. Junior libero Kabrina Speakman offered a team-high 19 digs.

Dominican falls to 9-17 overall and 6-14 with Saturday's result, tying Academy of Art in the PacWest standings. Aimee Steinwand had a team-high 19 kills while Amanda Lee amassed a match-high 27 digs.