OAKLAND, Calif. – Led by the powerful right arm of graduate student outside hitter Maya McClellan throughout the first two sets on Saturday, Academy of Art volleyball captured the opening frame, but could not carry them momentum beyond as Holy Names won the Pacific West Conference rematch 3-1 (22-25, 25-17, 25-14, 25-9) inside Tobin Gymnasium. McClellan, who had 14 kills and no hitting errors through the first two sets, finished with a match-high 19 kills by the end of the afternoon.

A sign of points to come, McClellan sent down the first three kills for ART U as the Urban Knights opened the contest up 3-1. HNU would come back to take a brief lead then the teams traded several ties until the Hawks built a 17-14 advantage. Kills by sophomore right side Katherine Von Kraut, freshman middle blocker/right side Kaia Fittz, and McCllelan would quickly bring it back to a 19-19 score before the home team once again jumped up 21-19. From there, however, Academy of Art secured six of the final seven points, with graduate student outside hitter Amalie Rupertova coming alive, and claimed the frame 25-22.

Having recorded 14 kills while hitting .583 with no errors through the first two sets, McClellan had another kill to begin the third frame, surpassing 26 attack attempts still with no blemishes. Her first unfortunately came while the Hawks were gaining a 15-6 lead, but she would have just one more for the remainder of the set, reaching 36 attempts with 17 kills and only the two errors. HNU would keep adding to its momentum with a 25-14 result heading to the fourth frame.

After moving in front 10-4 early in the set, Holy Names was also the first to reach 20 points at 20-8. Senior middle blocker Jillian Wheaton converted a kill for the next score, but HNU did not slow down, grabbing a 25-9 victory along with the match.

Academy of Art, now 4-18 on the year and 3-10 in PacWest play, had McClellan finish with her third-highest kill total of the season (19) with her second-highest hitting percentage (.306) and her seventh double-double as she added 10 digs. Rupertova's sixth double-double of 2022 came on 11 kills and 10 digs plus three block assists while senior outside hitter Isaura Santos made it three Urban Knights with double-digit digs as her 10 digs came alongside four kills. Junior setter Elly McInerney totaled 37 assists and eight digs.

Having captured the season series with ART U, Holy Names moves to 12-12 overall and 7-8 in conference action. Lauren Sera wrapped up the afternoon with 17 kills to lead the Hawks.

The Urban Knights next rematch Dominican in San Rafael on Monday, Oct. 24 inside Conlan Center at 6 p.m.