SAN FRANCISCO – Back in action at SF State for the conclusion of the 2018 West Region Volleyball Crossover, Academy of Art dropped two matches by scores of 3-0 to Saint Martin's (25-17, 25-21, 25-14) and the Gators (25-16, 25-13, 25-13) on Saturday.

MATCH 1 – SMU 3, ART U 0
The Urban Knights opened their first match of the day on a 5-1 run in which sophomore outside hitter Ashley Pawlak registered both a kill and a service error. However, the Saints would respond with an 11-2 push and eventually took the set 25-17.

After five unanswered points midway through the second frame, it appeared SMU was confidently in control, but a kill by freshman outside hitter Celena Davison then sparked Academy of Art's 5-1 surge capped by sophomore middle blocker Sadie Emery's kill. Showing a mere three-point advantage for Saint Martin's at that point (17-14), the scoreboard remained close until three of the final four points were scored by SMU toward the 25-21 final.

The teams traded 3-0 runs early in the third set and ART U carried an 11-10 lead after Davison struck again. Unfortunately for the Knights, an 11-0 string of points came from the Saints and they were suddenly back in control to secure the 25-14 final and the match.

MATCH 2 – SFSU 3, ART U 0
Much like the start of the contest with Saint Martin's, Academy of Art initially moved ahead 5-1 in the nightcap against the Gators. Back-to-back kills from freshman middle hitter Jillian Wheaton were supplemented by one from junior middle blocker Jennifer Argelander. The Knights held their advantage up until 11-7 when a 6-0 rebuttal got SF State back in front, setting up their 11-2 run to close the set 25-16.

Despite being down 4-1 at the beginning, ART U found itself within one at 7-6 after a kill from freshman setter Picabo Reinhold and Davison's service ace. Seven unanswered created the separation the Gators needed to take another win 25-13. That same score followed in the third set as an 8-3 lead right away could not be made up.

The Urban Knights complete the non-conference portion of their 2018 season at 0-8 and will enter into PacWest Conference play next week, beginning with a roadtip to Point Loma (Sept. 7) and Azusa Pacific (Sept. 8).