SAN DIEGO – In the second half of a back-to-back, Academy of Art volleyball dropped a Pacific West Conference decision to Point Loma 3-0 (25-21, 25-15, 25-16) on Saturday afternoon inside the Sea Lions' Golden Gymnasium.

A kill by sophomore outside hitter Celena Davison and a service ace from junior outside hitter Ashley Pawlak had ART U up 4-1 to start, but PLNU worked its way back into a slugfest and the teams sat tied 14-14. From there, the Sea Lions went on an 8-1 run yet the Urban Knights came back with five of six including kills by junior outside hitter Marian Figueroa Ferriera and junior middle blocker/opposite Sadie Emery. In the end, Point Loma held on for a 25-21 win in the opening set.

Knotted up with Academy of Art at 10-10, Point Loma shifted the second set on a 7-1 push midway through. A kill by sophomore middle blocker Jillian Wheaton highlighted the late portion of the frame, but PLNU secured seven of the final nine points for a 25-15 victory and a 2-0 lead.

The teams exchanged runs at the start of the third with the Sea Lions starting 4-1 and ART U coming back with six unanswered. A 9-1 surge by Point Loma thereafter gained initial separation before two separate 4-0 runs got the home team to a 25-16 result for the sweep.

The Urban Knights depart Southern California at 10-15 overall and 7-10 in conference play. Davison totaled seven kills (one off her career-high) with four digs while the tandem of Emery and Figueroa Ferriera each had five kills apiece. Sophomore setter Picabo Reinhold posted 12 assists and six digs.

Improving to 16-9 on the season and 12-5 in PacWest action, Point Loma was led by 10 kills from Jamie Cymbaluk.

Now with five matches remaining in its regular season, Academy of Art returns to the Bay Area for PacWest rematches on back-to-back nights. ART U starts at Notre Dame de Namur on Nov. 13 then hosts Holy Names in its home finale on Nov. 14.