AAU Splits with HPU, Wins Final Meeting 3-2

The first set was all AAU until late in the set when a late game surge put HPU ahead for the win. AAU never trailed until near the end. At 19-15, HPU closed out the set with a 10-0 run, giving them the 25-19 victory. The run was sparked by an HPU kill and closed on a rotation error by AAU.

Academy of Art jumped out to a 14-4 lead to start the second set. Hawaii Pacific could not manage to get closer than seven points during the second set as AAU cruised to a 25-13 win.

In the third, the Urban Knights found themselves leading for the entire set. HPU managed five ties early on, with 6-6 being the final one, but were never able to take the lead. HPU would keep the game as close as one point for a majority of the set, but AAU pulled away scoring eight of the last 10 points. They won set three 25-18.

AAU trailed 3-4 in the fourth set before a kill by Camille Board tied things up. The Urban Knights scored the next three points to take the early 7-4 lead. A kill by Dan Yang started the Urban Knights on a 5-1 run, giving AAU a 21-15 lead. Seven errors on the Urban Knights allowed HPU to rally back and take set four, 22-25. HPU closed the set with a 10-2 run.

In the fifth and decisive set, Academy of Art continued to roll, starting the set with an 8-3 advantage before the two teams' switched sides. After the switch, HPU scored just two more points as AAU cruised to a 15-5 victory, for the set and the match.

For HPU Natasha Bell and Kelly Balalnay finished the match with 9 and 8 kills respectively. Madison Hardy had a team high 20 assists. As a team, HPU had two more aces than the Urban Knights, finishing with seven.

Dan Yang, who finished with 21 kills and 16 digs led the Urban Knights offensively. Jelena Jakovljevic and Nicolette Hagan each chipped in with 10 kills apiece while adding 14 and 12 digs respectfully. Melissa Cheng had a match high 49 assists and four block assists. Amy Bush was AAU's top line of defense, she finished with two block solos and 9 block assists adding to the Urban Knights 15 team blocks.

The win brings the Urban Knights to 15-5 overall and 4-3 in league. AAU will play three non-conference matches this week before heading to Hawaii to continue in league play. The Urban Knights are back at home on Tuesday Oct. 13 when they take on Menlo College at Kezar Pavilion, first serve is set for 7:00 PM.