Box Score

Rocklin, Calif. -- Academy of Art University women's volleyball began the Warrior Challenge with a straight sets victory over the host William Jessup University at Warrior Arena on Friday evening. The 3-0  win (25-17, 25-12, 25-18) was highlighted by 10 kills apiece for junior outside hitter Dan Yang and sophomore middle blocker Amy Bush. AAU improves to 7-2 overall and WJU falls to 4-4.

“I think the team is competing very well with eight players,” Head Coach Marcus Young said. “Overall, I was generally pleased with our focus. I think it's something we need to improve upon. It's going to be a challenge for a second-year team throughout the season.”

Both teams stayed close early in the opening set, but with the score tied 11-11, the Urban Knights began to pull away. They finished out the set on a 14-6 run which included kills by Bush, junior outside hitter Jelena Jakovljevic, and freshman setter Melissa Cheng.

Academy of Art University rode its momentum from the first set through the second. After going up 3-1, AAU pushed the lead to 9-2 and eventually to 13-3. An emphatic kill by Yang wrapped up the 25-12 set victory for the Knights. The third set was more of the same from Academy of Art who established a 10-5 advantage, went on an 8-2 surge and captured the match with strong serving by Bush at the end.

For the Urban Knights, Yang had 10 kills along with three block solos while Bush came through with 10 kills and a .438 hitting percentage. Cheng finished with 32 assists and four kills on four attempts while sophomore libero Nicolette Hagan notched a match-high 13 digs.

“We wanted to focus on our middle attack in this match and this weekend,” Coach Young said. “Our middle hitters, Amy and Camille, are both doing really well. And one thing Phooey has really been working on is her blocking and that has really improved this season and she will continue to improve.”

The William Jessup University Warriors were paced offensively by outside hitter Geanna Foster with seven kills and outside hitter Hannah Baldwin who had five kills. Setter Patricia Plummer recorded 17 assists and libero Corissa Jacomini had a team-high seven digs.

AAU plays two more matches as part of the Warrior Challenge tomorrow. The first is against Hope International at 9:00 AM and the second is versus Southwestern College at 3:00 PM.