ROHNERT PARK, Calif. – Academy of Art volleyball took a pair of tough losses to start the Seawolves Volleyball Classic Thursday as No. 9 Cal State San Bernardino prevailed over the Urban Knights 3-0 (25-17, 25-16, 25-18) in the mid-afternoon then Cal State Monterey Bay collected a 3-0 (25-15, 25-21) win in the nightcap inside The Wolves' Den of Sonoma State.

MATCH 1 – #9 CSUSB 3, ART U 0
After being tied at 4-4 and 8-8, the teams were separated by the Coyotes' 4-0 run and later a 6-1 push, but the Knights started a comeback with four unanswered in the late stages including a solo block by sophomore middle blocker Kaia Fittz. The end result, however, was a 25-17 win for Cal State San Bernardino.

Kills by graduate student outside hitters Amalie Rupertova and Maya McClellan helped Academy of Art gain multiple leads in the early portion of the second set before an 8-1 surge had CSUSB in front then short bursts secured a two-set advantage by way of the 25-16 final.

Reaching double digits for the fourth time this season, McClellan finished with 12 kills while junior setter Elly McInerney added 22 assists and junior libero Nina Garcia ended with 14 digs. Meanwhile, Cal State San Bernardino remains undefeated in 2023, lifting its overall record to 5-0 after getting nine kills from Trinity Sheridan, 17 assists from Marlee Nunley, and 11 digs from Kacie Pedersen.

MATCH 2 – CSUMB 3, ART U 0
Early in the opening set, a kill by graduate student middle blocker Chandra Reed sparked six of the next seven points as a service ace from Garcia elevated Academy of Art to an 8-7 lead. From a 10-10 tie, however, the Otters used a difference-making 11-2 to eventually win 25-15.

The Knights' biggest run of day then came in the second set when an 8-1 burst highlighted by kills from Rupertova and freshman outside hitter Lola Martin had them ahead 10-8. CSUMB would regain an advantage thereafter, but the store was then locked at 20-20 before five Otter points compared to one by ART U for the 25-21 conclusion. 

See-sawing scores began the third frame until a 6-1 push by Cal State Monterey Bay swung the momentum in their favor and a 5-0 run thereafter helped seal the match on a 25-14 final.

Approaching its final non-conference match, Academy of Art moves to 1-5 overall. Five kills apiece were notched by Reed and Martin while McInerney provided 21 assists and four blocks. Garcia totaled nine digs to pace the team while Cal State Monterey Bay, now 2-3 on the season, was led by Jackie Wahl's 10 kills, Ashley Vanderpan's 30 assists, and Kaylie Honberger's 10 digs.

The Urban Knights will wrap up their participation in the Seawolves Volleyball Classic tomorrow with a 2:30 p.m. first serve against Cal State Dominguez Hills.