BELMONT, Calif. – Academy of Art University saw senior Melissa Brum, playing libero for the first time in her collegiate career, become the program's all-time digs leader Thursday night, but steady offense from Notre Dame de Namur gave the Argonauts a 3-0 sweep (25-23, 25-19, 25-16) inside their own Walter Gleason Gym.

The Urban Knights' early 4-0 run featured kills by senior outside hitter Kabrina Speakman and freshman setter Lilika Teu, but NDNU responded with five of the next six points to keep the opening set close. Up 17-15, ART U saw the momentum quickly shift as the Argos took the lead with an 8-2 surge. Another 4-0 push brought the Knights to a 23-23 tie, but Notre Dame de Namur scored the final two points to win 25-23.

NDNU opened the second set on a 7-2 run then added five unanswered points to establish a 12-4 advantage. Junior middle blocker Margaret Winkler put away multiple kills to keep Academy of Art in the mix then later up against set point, ART U threatened with four straight conversions including kills by sophomore outside hitter Hanna Kahn and Speakman before the Argos prevailed 25-19.

Similarly to the second set, Notre Dame de Namur started on a 6-0 run and led 10-4 before two attack errors sandwiched a kill by junior outside hitter Bailey Soolsma to make it 10-7. From there, a 10-3 burst by NDNU sent the home team on its way to a 25-16 set victory and the match. Brum notched her fourth dig late in the set to push past Kanoe Irvine with now 1,078 digs in her four-year career.

Academy of Art exits the day now 6-19 overall and 4-12 in the PacWest. Speakman finished with a team-high 12 kills, her highest output since her 13 against Stanislaus State on Sept. 20. Teu totaled 23 assists and redshirt sophomore defensive specialist Lyndsay Mlynar added 12 digs.

Notre Dame de Namur improves to 8-17 overall and 6-11 in conference play. Bianca Alvarez, the country's leader in attack attempts, was set a total of 54 times and finished with a match-high 22 kills

ART U's final homestand begins this Saturday with a 3 p.m. first serve against UH Hilo at Mills College inside Haas Pavilion. Prior to the start, Academy of Art will honor its two seniors Kabrina Speakman and Melissa Brum for Senior Day.