IRVINE, Calif. – Facing Concordia for the second time in 2018, Academy of Art volleyball found itself falling to the Eagles 3-0 (25-15, 25-17, 25-16) inside CU Arena on Friday night.

Out of the gate, CUI used a 10-3 run to gain initial separation and later it was a 7-2 push that rose the margin to double digits at 20-10. ART U would surge back with five of the next seven points as sophomore middle blocker Sadie Emery delivered a kill then teamed with freshman outside hitter Celena Davison for a block to spark the rally. Concordia, however, would score the final three points for a 25-15 final.

The second set began with CUI ahead 7-3, but the difference was only two points after redshirt senior outside hitter and junior middle blocker Jennifer Argelander combined for a block at 9-7. Brief bursts of four points, three points, then finally five points helped the home team force set point. It would not be easy though as sophomore outside hitter Ashley Pawlak put down a kill, joined Elisaia for a block, and Elisaia added a kill of her own before the set ultimately turned for Concordia 25-17.

A kill from freshman middle blocker Jillian Wheaton put the Urban Knights in front 4-3 to open the third frame, but CUI would fight back and take a small lead before the match was tied at 12-12 on a service ace by redshirt senior libero Lyndsay Mlynar. From there, the Eagles got ahead 20-15 by way of an 8-2 momentum shift and they eventually claimed the set 25-16, winning the match.

ART U drops to 1-28 overall and 1-20 in conference play. Pawlak put up nine kills and eight digs, freshman setter Picabo Reinhold added 15 assists, and Davison collected a season-high 11 digs. With her 11 assists, Lucas became the fourth Urban Knight to surpass 1,000 assists in her career.

Concordia, who rises to 9-20 on the year and 8-13 in PacWest, was led by 18 kills and eight digs from Jaclyn Brown.

Academy of Art will finish its 2018 campaign tomorrow against Biola in a 1 p.m. matchup inside Chase Gymnasium.