SAN FRANCISCO -- Consistent production from the beginning to the end of Monday's Pacific West Conference rematch with Concordia propelled Academy of Art volleyball to a 3-0 (25-15, 25-23, 25-22) victory inside Kezar Pavilion. Seven service aces highlighted a dominant opening set as the Urban Knights delivered their second-highest hitting percentage (.250) of the season in the match that featured a "Dig Pink" theme in honor of breast cancer awareness.

Graduate student outside hitter Amalie Rupertova sent three consecutive service aces over the net to give ART U early momentum in the form of a 5-1 lead. The difference was soon 15-4 as seven unanswered points came during a 10-2 surge featuring two more aces from junior setter Lina Ellilä plus multiple kills and blocks from graduate student middle blocker Chandra Reed. CUI never came closer than seven points the rest of the way as Academy of Art closed strong on kills by freshman middle blocker/outside hitter Alohi Garcia, Rupertova, and graduate student outside hitter/right side Maya McClellan all before a fitting end on McClellan's service ace at 25-15.

A more evenly-played second frame saw six ties before the Golden Eagles managed a 17-14 margin that was promptly countered by five straight ART U points that had McClellan and freshman outside hitter/right side Crystal Creek swinging for kills. Knotted again at 20-20, the Knights separated once more with junior setter Elly McInerney posting a device ace and then assist kills by Rupertova and Garcia. McInerney found Rupertova again for the 25-23 capper.

Facing a 17-12 deficit midway through a third set that was shifted by six consecutive CUI scores, Academy of Art used a kill by McClellan to initiate a difference-making 10-3 surge powered by multiple kills and blocks from sophomore middle blocker Kaia Fittz. Ahead 22-20, ART U kept its foot on the gas and did not relinquish the lead, winning 25-22 on back-to-back kills by Reed and McClellan.

Academy of Art improves to 3-18 overall and 2-12 in PacWest action after collectively delivering 11 service aces including three apiece from Rupertova and Ellilä. Rupertova added nine kills and Ellilä contributed 15 assists while the Knights were led by McClellan's 10 kills along with her eight digs. Garcia added eight kills, McInerney finished with a team-high 17 assists, and Reed provided four blocks.

The loss drops Concordia to 10-9 on the year and 6-5 in conference play despite nine kills from Kirra Schulz, 21 assists from Allyson Fulbright, and 10 digs from Delaney Risse.

A rematch with Fresno Pacific awaits ART U next as the Urban Knights begin a five-part road swing at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27.