Box Score

Rocklin, Calif. -- The Urban Knights women's volleyball continued its domination of the William Jessup University Warrior Challenge with a 3-0 win (25-19, 25-22, 25-23)  over Hope International University at Warrior Arena on Saturday morning. In a match where Academy of Art University never trailed, junior outside hitter Dan Yang paced the team with a match-high nine kills and two block solos while freshman setter Melissa Cheng finished with a match-high 12 digs along with her 21 assists. 

AAU didn't waste much time grabbing an 8-4 lead in the first set. After the advantage expanded to six points, the Knights cruised to a 25-19 victory to start things off. The second set saw Academy of Art surge early with an 8-2 run before the Royals responded and the scoreboard showed both teams knotted at 14-14. With solid defense from junior Jelena Jakovljevic and her eight digs in the set, the Knights unleashed a 5-0 run and managed to hold off HIU from coming back. 

The third set followed a similar pattern to the previous two with AAU out to another lead, this one 9-4, and a push by Hope International midway through which eventually tied the set 19-19. A key timeout was then called by the Knights' coaching staff with the teams deadlocked at 23-23 and the match was over two points later. 

Behind Yang's nine kills, Academy of Art University had three other players with four kills apiece. Sophomore Nicolette Hagan, in her first match as outside hitter this season, was one of the three and added five digs. Taking over for Hagan at libero was Jakovljevic who finished with 11 digs. 

“Jelena did a great job playing libero,” Head Coach Marcus Young said. “She stepped in and played very well this match.” 

On Hope International's side, outside hitter Debbie Beliakoff notched a team-high eight kills to go with nine digs. Setter Casey Issenmann passed out 19 assists and finished with eight digs while middle blocker Naomi Iosia added five kills, six digs, and three block solos. 

The Urban Knights will take on Southwestern College this afternoon in their final match of the Warrior Challenge at 3:00 PM.