Box Score

Ellensburg, WA -- In its final match of the CWU Volleyball Invitational, Academy of Art University earned its sixth victory of the season with a 3-1 win (23-25, 25-17, 25-12, 25-14) over Walla Walla University. Three Knights registered double-digit kills led by junior outside hitter Dan Yang who had 18. Junior outside hitter Jelena Jakovljevic finished with 11 kills and 15 digs while freshman setter Melissa Cheng added 47 assists to give her a tournament- best 180 assists overall.

Fresh off their victory over #21 Western Washington, the Urban Knights (6-2) found themselves in a battle with Walla Walla (4-5) for the first set. Academy of Art fell behind 7-4 early on, but AAU climbed back and took its first lead with 18-17 on the scoreboard. However, from that point forward, the Wolves were able to regain an advantage and win the set 25-23.

The Knights bounced back in the second set despite the fact that Walla Walla carried some of its momentum from the first. It was anyone's set as both squads battled through four ties in the middle of the game before Academy of Art University pulled ahead 19-16. AAU unleashed a 6-1 surge to finish the set and tie up the match.

From that point forth, the Urban Knights took care of business by grabbing an early lead in the third and opening up a 9-1 run from the end of the third set into the fourth. Academy of Art won the third and fourth sets with higher than a .400 hitting percentage on both occasions.

Overall, AAU was led offensively by Yang who earned CWU Volleyball Invitational All-Tournament Team honors with 81 total kills in four matches, the most of any athlete in the tournament. She was backed up sophomore middle blocker Camille Board who posted 13 kills to go with a team-best .647 hitting percentage. The Knights out dug Walla Walla 47-27 and were never blocked by the Wolves in the match.

WWU was led by Natalle Wilkening who finished with 12 kills despite a .098 hitting percentage. Middle blocker Michelle Warner came through with 10 kills and setter Torrey Haddad added 32 assists for Walla Walla.

Academy of Art will compete in one more tournament before it returns to Kezar Pavilion for its first home match of the season. The Knights travel to Rocklin, CA on Sept. 11 where they will play William Jessup University, Hope International University, and Southwestern College as part of WJU's Warrior Challenge.