Match #1 Box Score
Match #2 Box Score

Seaside, CA -- The Urban Knights volleyball team has stressed the importance of building a strong foundation here in 2012, and if the opening day of the Otter Classic is any indication, things are looking good for ART U after winning both of their Friday matches at the Otter Sports Center. The Knights (2-0) took a 3-1 match from Dominican College (NY) in the early afternoon before sweeping Maryville University (MO) in the evening match 3-0.

"It's great to get off a good start. More importantly,  we played better and better as the day went along," said head coach Ed Jackson. "The best part about today was everyone got an opportunity to compete. It was a group effort. Alanna (Jackson) and I are proud of everyone and how they worked within their roles and contributed to today's successes."

In the first match of the tournament, facing off against Dominican, the Knights started off strong with a win in the opening set of the year by a score of 25-22. The Chargers came back to win the second set 25-23 despite, but the Urban Knights rebounded with a 25-17 victory, pulling away at the end of the set, and then replicated that score in the final set to take start off the year with a win.

All four sets of the first match were close, but the Urban Knights pulled away to win in the later sets. The first set was tied as late as 21-21 and the second at 23-23. In the third set the Knights got a lead after an 11-11 tie and they got an early lead in the final set to win handily to get the victory.

Senior outside hitter Angela Heath led all hitters with 17 kills, with newcomer Taylor Suchy hot on her heels with 16 kills. Suchy also had six service aces. ART U's combo of freshman Rachael Smith and senior Melissa Cheng at setter totaled 44 assists. The Urban Knights also dominated on the defensive end. Heath led the team with 28 digs, senior libero Janelle Burnett had 24 digs for ART U, and sophomore middle blocker Lindsay Elgin had four kills and six blocks.

The Urban Knights had a couple hours to regroup before facing off against the Maryville University who travelled all the way from St. Louis to Monterey Bay. The Saints lost their opener in the tournament, and the Knights got their second win of the day in three straight sets.

"As a club players prior to attending ART U our athletes are used to playing a similar schedule," said Jackson. "Our team did a fantastic job of fighting through fatigue and persevered to finish the second match of the day. We know that we are just beginning our 22-game season. After a good nights rest, we look forward to more competition tomorrow."

Academy of Art had three more close sets, but were able to put the Saints away in each one, holding off late charges to secure the win. In the first set, Heath had a double-double, leading the team in kills with 12, and also totaling 13 digs. Three players made it into double-digits in digs, as Heath, Suchy (14 digs) and Burnett (11 digs) were all active on the defensive front. The Knights also out blocked the Saints 8.0 to 4.0 and had 10 service aces to lead that category as well.

"I'm excited for the team. They are showing the hard work put in during the preseason practices are paying off," said Jackson. "When it comes to pressure, every match, every point has its amount of pressure. Whether it's the first match or the last match of the season there is alway pressure. That why our motto is 'every touch every time'. We know we have 20 more matches to play with two opponents tomorrow giving us another opportunity to showcase what we have learned and continue to grow as a team."

The Knights will be up early on Saturday to take on University of Alaska Anchorage at 9:00 AM and will finish up the tournament against Minnesota State University - Mankato at 1:00 PM. Both matches will be streamed online at the Otter Classic Tournament Central.