SAN FRANCISCO – Stepping back onto its home court inside Kezar Pavilion for the fifth straight time on Saturday, Academy of Art volleyball was unable to settle into a rhythm against Pacific West Conference defending champion Azusa Pacific. Though sophomore setter Picabo Reinhold posted her ninth double-double in 13 matches thus far, it was the Cougars who came away 3-0 (25-13, 25-16, 25-12) winners.

Out of the gate, APU established a 9-2 advantage, but the Urban Knights came right back with a 4-0 run bookended by kills from freshman middle blocker Kylie Lenberg. An 8-2 Azusa Pacific push got them ahead 20-10 and, despite back-to-back kills from junior middle blocker Sadie Emery down the stretch, the opening set ended with the visitors on top 25-13.

Junior middle blocker Carly Evetts delivered two kills early on in the second frame, helping ART U gather a 6-4 lead, but a momentum shift soon followed with six unanswered from the Cougars. Battling back from a 19-12 deficit, Academy of Art moved closer to striking distance with another pair of attacks finished off by Evetts. Unfortunately, six of the final seven points were scored by Azusa Pacific, ensuring them a 25-16 set win.

Junior outside hitter Mariana Figueroa Ferriera provided some offense at the start of the third set, but APU rose steadily ahead to an 18-7 lead. Up against set point thereafter, Evetts and Reinhold each logged kills to fend off the Cougars before the match concluded with a 25-12 score.

Academy of Art moves to 4-8 on the season and 2-3 in conference. Reinhold's ninth double-double of the year saw her collect 18 assists and 16 digs while seven kills apiece came from Evetts and Emery.

Logging their fifth consecutive win, the Cougars rise to 9-2 overall and 3-0 in PacWest action. Annaka Jorgenson offered a match-high 11 kills plus 11 digs and Katarina Radisic added 10 kills.

The PacWest's Hawaiian trio come to Kezar Pavilion next with Hawaii Pacific (Oct. 2), UH Hilo (Oct. 3), and Chaminade (Oct. 5) making up a three-match week.