SAN FRANCISCO – Though Academy of Art University volleyball claimed the opening set against Chaminade Monday night inside Kezar Pavilion, steady offense by the Silverswords helped them battle back for the win 3-1 (20-25, 25-13, 25-16, 25-18). Sophomore outside hitter
Hanna Kahn finished with both a match-high and career-high 12 kills to lead ART U.
Coming off their sweep of UH Hilo two days prior, the Urban Knights quickly gained a 13-9 advantage in the opening set. Chaminade responded by tying things up at 16-16 and short bursts by Academy of Art continued to be matched by the visitors to 20-20. From there, however, five straight points including kills by senior outside hitter
Kabrina Speakman and junior middle blocker
Margaret Winkler pushed ART U to a 25-20 victory.
Chaminade started the second set on a 9-3 run, added a 5-1 push midway through and eventually closed the 25-13 win with five unanswered points. Set two was even early and after multiple instances of coming to within one point of the Silverswords, the Knights faced a impactful 5-0 run to turn a 15-14 set into 20-14 and soon the visitors had gained a 2-1 advantage by way of their 25-16 final score.
An 8-0 push put Chaminade ahead 12-4 right away in the fourth set, but two kills and a block assist by Winkler highlighted Academy of Art's 6-0 response. The Silverswords proceeded to score on eight of the next nine points, pushing the match closer to its conclusion. Four different Knights had kills during their 6-1 rebuttal, but the margin was too great and a 25-18 end result earned Chaminade the 3-1 comeback win.
Now, 7-20 overall and 5-13 in PacWest, Academy of Art was led by Kahn's career-high 12 kills which bettered her previous mark of 11 against Cal State Monterey Bay
earlier this season. Speakman delivered nine kills and 17 digs, senior libero
Melissa Brum matched her teammate with 17 digs as well, and Winkler had six blocks to go with seven kills.
Chaminade improves to 16-12 overall and 10-9 in conference after Daisia LaBrie contributed nine kills and Natashya Enos had 14 digs in the victory.
ART U plays its final home game this Thursday, Nov. 17 when Fresno Pacific enters Kezar Pavilion for a rematch with the Knights. First serve is set for 7:30 p.m.
