Match #1
ART U Urban Knights (0-0) vs. Cal State East Bay Pioneers (0-0)
Friday, September 2, 2011 at 9:00 AM
Arcata, CA - Lumberjack Arena

Match #2
ART U Urban Knights (0-0) vs. Central Washington Widcats (0-0)
Friday, September 2, 2011 at 2:00 PM
Arcata, CA - Lumberjack Arena

Match #3
ART U Urban Knights (0-0) vs. Humboldt State Lumberjacks (0-0)
Saturday, September 3, 2011 at 10:00 AM
Arcata, CA - Lumberjack Arena
Live Stats

Match #4
ART U Urban Knights (0-0) vs. St. Martin's Saints (0-0)
Saturday, September 3, 2011 at 1:00 PM
Arcata, CA - Lumberjack Arena

THIS WEEK
The Academy of Art University women's volleyball team returns to the court for its 2011 campaign on Friday, Sept. 2 with the Humboldt State Tournament in Arcata, CA. Last season, the Urban Knights finished with a 15-12 overall record and placed fourth in the Pacific West Conference with a 9-7 conference record. The fourth place finish marks ART U's highest result since joining the PacWest. 

OPENING SERVE
On Friday, ART U faces Cal State East Bay at 9 a.m. and Central Washington at 2 p.m. They will take on host Humboldt on Saturday at 10 a.m. and shortly after the Knights will cap off the tournament against St. Martin's University at 1 p.m.

SOCIAL NETWORKING
Remember to check @UrbanKnightNews on Twitter for score updates and recaps. Also become a fan of the Knights on Facebook by 'Like'-ing the Urban Knights page.

THE RETURNERS
Junior setter Melissa Cheng (All-PacWest Second Team) and senior middle blocker Amy Bush (All-PacWest Team Honorable Mention) both earned All-PacWest honors last season after ranking among the leaders in their respective positions. Cheng carried the third highest assist per set average (9.73) in the conference while Bush posted the highest hitting percentage last season (.352). The core of the returning squad is rounded out by senior defensive specialist Nicolette Hagan, junior right side Angela Heath, sophomore middle blocker Caitlin Boring, along with middle blocker Camille Board and libero/outside hitter Leinani Keanini, a senior duo that anchored the ART U defense last season.

THE NEWCOMERS
ART U's 2011 freshman class, setter Lehuanani "Kawai" Oleole, outside hitter Brittany Ulmer, and middle blocker Holli "Ka'ena" Kaina, are all from the same 2011 Asics Rainbows 18U Club Team while libero Midori Le is a local product out of Mercy High School in Burlingame, CA. Rounding out the six newcomers are junior libero Janelle Burnett (Dodge City Community College) and sophomore outside hitter Mykal "Myke" Vailu'u (Norfolk State).

TAKING ON THE BEST
Head Coach Allison Magner has lined up one of the most challenging schedules for the Knights. ART U is slated to play 12 regular season matches against teams ranked in the preseason poll, and two against teams that made appearances in the 2010 NCAA Tournament.

SCOUTING CAL STATE EAST BAY
The Pioneers enter Friday's matchup coming off a 20-7 overall record in 2010. The season was highlighted by a stretch in which East Bay won eight of nine matches, defeating numerous CCAA opponents in the process. CSUEB added 14 new players, including 11 transfers for the coming 2011 year. The Pioneers do return their top offensive player, outside hitter Katie Allen, who amassed 298 kills and 129 digs last season. This will be the first time Academy of Art has faced Cal State East Bay.

SCOUTING CENTRAL WASHINGTON
The Wildcats finished their 2010 season with a 13-10 overall record and 11-7 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference. Central Washington loses three valuable seniors including outside hitter Kady Try, libero Brandie Vea and middle blocker Kristel Baeckel, however, All-Conference setter Carlee Marble looks to lead the charge for the Wildcats. She posted 692 assists for CWU last year. This will be the third meeting of the Knights and Wildcats.

SCOUTING HUMBOLT STATE
Last season the Jacks finished 2-24 overall. Humboldt State finished in the middle of the CCAA pack in blocking and digs last year, but were last in hitting percentage and kills. With 10 returners, the Jacks are looking to for a stronger offensive approach. Among the members of HSU's 2011 team are outside hitter Oceana Matsubu who averaged 2.74 kills per game in 2010 and libero Brooke Ferguson who amassed 313 digs last year.

SCOUTING ST. MARTINS
The Saints finished the 2010 season with a record of 2-22 overall and 1-17 mark in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. St. Martin's loses two key hitters from last years season, but looks strong with nine newcomers on the squad including Katy Ferguson, one of SMU's offensive leaders with 157 total kills.

2010 IN REVIEW
In 2010, ART U posted a 15-12 overall record and claimed fifth place in the PacWest Conference. The team finished with its third consecutive .500 campaign. Knights soon posted a seven-match win streak to tie the program record. ART U won several grueling five-set matches against Grand Canyon and Dixie State during that span. The Urban Knights also knocked off Chaminade 3-2 in the final match of their Hawaii campaign.

LOOKING AHEAD
ART U will continue on the road to Grand Junction, CO for the Holiday Inn Crossroads Classic. On Friday, Sept. 9th, the Knights will battle Adams State College at 12 p.m. and Western State College of Colorado at 4:30 p.m. The following day, the Knights face Fort Lewis at 1:15 p.m. and host Colorado Mesa University at 6 p.m. on September 10th.