AZUSA, Calif. – Starting their Southern California roadtrip inside the Felix Event Center, Academy of Art University volleyball ended up falling to Azusa Pacific 3-0 (25-19, 25-16, 25-20) on Wednesday night.

On the fourth point of the match, junior middle blocker Margaret Winkler became the program's fourth Urban Knight to reach 200 blocks and the 2-2 tie was one of 10 in the set. After being knotted with ART U at 17-17, the Cougars executed a 6-0 run to open a crucial margin late and went on to gain the first advantage 25-19.

Azusa Pacific went ahead 9-6 to start the second set, but Academy of Art refused to allow any more separation as senior outside hitter Melissa Brum put one away at 15-13 to keep her team within striking distance. However, a 7-0 APU run ensued, eventually leading to another set victory 25-16.

In the third set, the teams exchanged runs of four then three unanswered points before ART U threatened with a 19-16 lead, established primarily on kills by Brum. Like they did in the first two frames, the Cougars once again used a late run (this one 9-1) to end on top 25-20 and win the match.

Academy of Art finishes the day at 6-16 overall and 4-9 in the PacWest. Brum led ART U with seven kills while the trio of Winkler, redshirt sophomore middle blocker Safua Elisaia, and junior middle blocker Bailey Soolsma each had six kills apiece. Freshman setter Lilika Teu totaled 26 assists and senior libero Kabrina Speakman added 11 digs.

Azusa Pacific is now 11-13 overall and 7-8 in conference after getting a match-high 16 kills from Ally Gonzalez.

The Urban Knights will be in action again tomorrow evening when they take on California Baptist in Riverside at 7 p.m.