SAN FRANCISCO – Challenging current Pacific West Conference standings leader Azusa Pacific for the second time this season, Academy of Art volleyball rallied back from a two-set deficit by controlled much of the third set, but ended up taking a 3-0 (25-12, 25-18, 26-24) loss to the Cougars' hand inside Kezar Pavilion on Friday night.

APU created initial separation in the opening set with two separate 5-0 runs and, despite three kills apiece for freshman middle blocker Jillian Wheaton and junior opposite Kiersten Kerch in the frame, the visitors prevailed 25-12. That momentum carried into the second set where the Cougars jumped in front 5-1 and were later up 19-12 before a three-point swing from redshirt senior middle blocker Safua Elisaia single-handedly. She put down a kill then followed with back-to-back service aces to bring the Urban Knights within four points, but six of the final nine scores went to Azusa Pacific, leading the Cougars to a 25-18 victory.

From a 6-6 tie in the third set, Academy of Art established a four-point advantage starting with a kill from sophomore middle blocker Sadie Emery and ending with Elisaia's fourth service ace of the night. APU rebutted with four of their own unanswered points, however, ART U then surged back ahead with six of the next seven scores including a pair of kills by sophomore outside hitter Ashley Pawlak. Kerch exploded for three kills during another 4-0 push shortly thereafter and the Knights led 21-15. The Cougars crept back to within one yet a kill by Elisaia forced an Academy of Art set point at 24-22. In the end, Azusa Pacific accomplished the sweep with four straight points for a 26-24 triumph.

"Our team was able to serve tough and made some great swings," said head coach Allen McCreary. "The team played well and they were not in any panic mode. We just need to put the ball away when we are at match point."

Academy of Art drops to 0-12 in conference play and 0-20 overall this season. Both Wheaton and Elisaia had nine kills apiece and freshman setter Picabo Reinhold finished with 20 assists. After her three block assists tonight, Elisaia now needs just 12 more to break the career record. Pawlak contributed a team-high nine digs.

Remaining atop the PacWest standings, Azusa Pacific rises to 11-1 in conference play and 15-5 on the year. Sara Wagenveld delivered a team-high 10 kills, hitting .667, while Julianne Miller added nine kills.

Coming off a sweep of Holy Names on Friday night, their fifth straight victory, Point Loma will be ART U's next opponent this Saturday, Oct. 13 at 1 p.m. back inside Kezar Pavilion.