BELMONT, Calif. – The second meeting of Academy of Art volleyball and Chaminade was a particularly significant one for the Silverswords as they entered Walter Gleason Gym one win away from the Pacific West Conference regular season title. In the end, the visitors would secure the 3-0 (25-13, 25-16, 25-15) victory with an efficient performance, using rallies in the middle and latter stages of each set to win.

Three kills by graduate student outside hitter Amalie Rupertova and two from senior libero/outside hitter Isaura Santos helped ART U open the contest up 6-4, but CUH quickly shifted the momentum by way of an ensuing 11-2 run. Points were then traded as graduate student Maya McClellan sent down multiple kills, however, eight of the first set's final 10 points were scored by Chaminade to end on a 25-13 score.

Like the opening frame, Academy of Art started strong as kills from its senior class, Santos and middle blocker Jillian Wheaton, keyed a 5-1 advantage. The margin remained in the neighborhood of four points, where it stood when sophomore right side Katherine Von Kraut unleashed a kill at 9-5, but a 5-1 push from the Swords tied the set at 11-11. Each side held small leads briefly before CUH closed out the 25-16 win on nine straight scores.

Set three reversed the early trend as Chaminade began on top 5-1 and, though Von Kraut was at the forefront of two straight points to make it a 10-7 difference, the Swords subsequently extended their lead to 16-7 and maintained through a 25-15 result to end the night.

ART U, who moves to 6-22 overall and 5-14 in conference play, was paced by eight kills from Rupertova as well as seven off the hand of McClellan. That duo combined for 14 digs while Santos added six kills and nine digs. Junior setter Elly McInerney provided 20 assists and freshman libero Ainsley Robare finished with two service aces plus six digs.

Chaminade picks up its sixth consecutive win to rise to 22-7 on the season and 17-1 versus PacWest opponents. The trio of Lataisia Saulala, Sasha Colombo, and Ajack Malual led the Silverswords with eight kills apiece.

One final match remains for Academy of Art in 2022 when the Urban Knights host Hawaii Pacific this Saturday, Nov. 12 at 2 p.m. from Walter Gleason Gym. Santos and Wheaton will both be honored in a special pre-match Senior Day ceremony.