GAME #27
ART U Urban Knights (11-15, 7-11 PacWest) vs. Fresno Pacific University (
November 13, 2013 at 7:00 PM
Fresno, CA -- Special Events Center
Live Stats | Live Video

GAME #28
ART U Urban Knights (11-15, 7-11 PacWest) vs. Dominican University (10-17, 7-10)
November 15, 2013 at 6:00 PM
San Rafael, CA -- Conlan Recreation Center
Live Stats/Video | Live Audio

OPENING SERVE
In front of a big crowd in their final home game of 2013, the Academy of Art University volleyball team treated the audience to a thrilling 3-1 victory over Notre Dame de Namur University. The Urban Knights showcased some gaudy offensive numbers, as Melissa Brum totaled 24 kills, sophomore Karly DaRosa hit .769, and ART U hit almost .300 as a team in the win. They ended up 2-1 on the homestand, defeating Holy Names and NDNU but falling to their first opponent this week, Fresno Pacific.

BACK SO SOON, SUNBIRDS?
The Urban Knights hadn't played Fresno Pacific at all over the first 25 games of the season, but now finish the year playing them twice in five days. Against the Sunbirds last week, the Knights came on late but fell 3-0, as FPU got 14 kills from Morghan Williams, 13 from Rebecca Waller, and 12 from Rupia Inck. Emily Papale led the Knights with 10 kills, her 15th match this year with double-digit kills. Rachael Smith had 26 assists, which pushed her over the 1000-assist milestone and giving her the second-best setting season in terms of total assists in ART U history. Both teams have matching 4-6 records over the past 10 games.

FIRST YEARS FIRING HARD IN 2013
Throughout the year, the Academy of Art volleyball stat line has been led by a pair of players who have quickly established themselves as difference-makers on the team. Now, with two games left, freshmen Emily Papale (288 kills) and Melissa Brum (281 kills) are leading the team on the attack and each have a chance at 300 kills on the year. Both are also in the top 20 in kills per set in the PacWest. The Knights have also received strong play recently from sophomore Karly DaRosa, who is in her first year at ART U. She was in a groove agains NDNU with 10 kills in 13 attempts and no errors, and now has a .591 hitting percentage over her past two games.

GOLDEN GATE BATTLE ENDS 2013
The Knights and the Lady Penguins of Dominican will face off to end the 2013 campaign, and Academy of Art will do their part to defeat their Bay Area rivals and exact retribution for the five-set loss earlier this year. ART U got a career-high 17 kills from Caitlin Boring and 55 assists from Rachael Smith, but fell in the deciding frame. Amanda Wasko had 19 kills for Dominican, while Madeline Powelson had 13 kills and 19 digs. ART U has a chance to possibly jump the Penguins in the standigns and finish the highest in the PacWest of the four Bay Area schools, depending on how the week shakes out. Dominican has won seven of their last 10 heading into the final week.