Match #7
ART U Urban Knights (2-4, 0-0 PWC) vs. NDNU Argonauts (5-3, 0-0 PWC)
Friday, September 15, 2017 at 7 p.m.
Belmont, Calif. – Walter Gleason Gym
Live Stats & Live Video

Match #8
ART U Urban Knights (2-4, 0-0 PWC) vs. Dominican Penguins (1-7, 0-0 PWC)
Saturday, September 16, 2017 at 7 p.m.
San Francisco – Kezar Pavilion
Live Stats & Live Video
 

URBAN KNIGHTS STAY LOCAL TO START PACWEST PLAY
With its lone non-conference tournament in the rear view and coming off a thrilling five-set win over SF State, Academy of Art University volleyball tosses up its first serve of the Pacific West Conference season this week. The campaign begins at Notre Dame de Namur this Friday then quicks turns around for ART U's home opener hosting Dominican on Saturday.

FIRST SERVE
On Friday, Sept. 15, Academy of Art challenges NDNU on the road at Walter Gleason Gym in Belmont. Just 24 hours later, the Knights will play their first home match of the year with Dominican crossing the Golden Gate Bridge to meet ART U inside Kezar Pavilion. Both matches are set to begin at 7 p.m. Live coverage will be available via the links above. Remember to follow @ARTU_Knights on Twitter & Instagram and "Like" the Urban Knights on Facebook for score updates, videos, and recaps.

KNIGHT WATCH
Currently fourth in the PacWest in service aces per set (1.56), Academy of Art has six players averaging 0.20+ aces per set. Senior middle blocker Margaret Winkler ranks eighth in the category (0.38) and adds the fifth-most blocks per set (1.15). She is now 28 blocks from surpassing career record-holder Amy Bush. Senior outside hitter Bailey Soolsma dropped multiple career-highs in the D2 West Region Showcase including 23 kills versus SF State. She has moved into the team lead for kills per set (3.48) which now has her seventh in the conference. Freshman outside hitter Kimiah Johnson has also emerged alongside Soolsma, averaging 2.86 kills and 2.57 digs per set. The pair has accounted for six of the team's eight double-doubles thus far. Sophomore setter Lilika Teu has moved up to sixth in the PacWest in assists per set (7.08).

ARGUING THE ARGOS
Tied for fourth in the PacWest standings prior to conference play, Notre Dame de Namur is 5-3 with four straight wins to their name most recently. Despite struggling in their own Route 92 Showdown, the Argos rattled off victories over Cal State Dominguez Hills, Montana State Billings, Humboldt State, and Saint Martin's. For the fourth straight season, it is Bianca Alvarez who leads the NDNU charge, coming off a PacWest Player of the Week selection after she extended her streak of double-digit kills to 43 matches with a season-high 28 versus Humboldt. She currently leads the conference and ranks 12th in the country in kills per set (4.53). Through 18 previous meetings, Academy of Art holds a 12-6 lead all-time against the Argos.

PENGUIN POINTERS
In two tournaments thus far, Dominican has started the year 1-7 with its lone win a 3-1 effort over Simon Fraser in the D2 West Region Volleyball Showcase. The Penguins were swept by four CCAA schools in the Route 92 Showdown and then fell in their three most recent matches prior to what will be their PacWest opener on the road at Fresno Pacific. Much like NDNU, Dominican continues to run the majority of their offense through one arm – that of Aimee Steinwand. She averages 3.46 kills per set which is good for eighth in the PacWest. The Knights lead the Penguins 10-8 in the historical matchup.

KNIGHTS FINISH SHOWCASE WITH THRILLING WIN
In a rollercoaster ride of a match, Academy of Art University volleyball finished a grueling five sets in celebratory fashion, defeating D2 West Region Volleyball Showcase host SF State 3-2 (25-20, 22-25, 25-23, 11-25, 15-13) on Sept. 9 night inside the Gators' Main Gymnasium. Five Urban Knights posted career-highs in the victory including three with double-doubles.

LOOKING AHEAD
Next weekend, ART U is off to the Hawaiian Islands. It will be a brief trip this time, however, as the Knights face UH Hilo on Friday, Sept. 22 (7 p.m. HT/10 p.m. PT) then Hawaii Pacific the next day Saturday, Sept. 23 (7 p.m. HT/10 p.m. PT).