RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Looking for their first PacWest victory of the season, Academy of Art volleyball headed to Riverside for their first of three Southern California matchups. Facing No. 5 California Baptist, the Urban Knights showed stretches of dominance in each set. However, the Lancers prevailed in the end, taking the contest 3-0.
 
To begin the match, ART U traded points with the Lancers to begin the opening set. After trailing 6-1, the Knights took four-consecutive points to pull within one. However, CBU responded with a 5-0 run and pulled away from there to win the set 25-12.
 
The Lancers came out strong in the second set, going on a 9-0 run after the break. Later, Academy of Art took three-straight points to make it 12-5 and followed it up with a 10-7 run to come within just four points (19-15). During that time, redshirt junior blocker Safua Elisaia hauled in three kills and senior outside hitter Bailey Soolsma knocked down two. However, another 6-1 run by California Baptist gave the Lancers a 9-point, 25-16 second-set victory.
 
To begin the final set, the Urban Knights kept things close, only trailing by three when the scoreboard read 7-4. However, the Lancers went on an 8-1 run thereafter, taking a 15-5 lead. Looking to stave off CBU, ART U took five-consecutive points, holding the Lancers' score at 23. Nonetheless, California Baptist managed to claim the next two points to take both the set and the match.
 
Overall, Soolsma led the team with seven kills and contributed two service aces and eight digs. Freshman outside hitter Kimiah Johnson followed with five kills and four digs of her own. With the loss, Academy of Art falls to 3-10 overall and 0-6 in the PacWest while CBU improves to a perfect, 14-0 overall record and they are 6-0 in conference-play.
 
The Urban Knights will remain in Southern California for their next contest, coming against another nationally ranked opponent, No. 24 Azusa Pacific. First serve will take place on October 5 at 6:00 p.m.