SAN FRANCISCO – Exploding out of the gate by out-hitting No. 17 Point Loma, Academy of Art volleyball went on a decisive run to secure the opening frame, but the Sea Lions countered in what would end as a 3-1 (26-28, 25-17, 25-16, 25-11) Pacific West Conference victory in their favor on Saturday inside Kezar Pavilion.

Back-to-back kills from sophomore outside hitter Paola Divis plus put-aways from three other Urban Knights helped lead ART U to a 9-4 start against the nationally-ranked Sea Lions, however, the score was soon tied 11-11. Graduate student middle blocker Chandra Reed and junior right side/middle blocker Katherine Von Kraut rose shoulder-to-shoulder for a block to give their squad the 18-17 advantage, but PLNU was first to 20 points with a thrilling finish to the set on the way. Reed slammed three kills then graduate student opposite Claire Ricard offered one to force set point at 24-22. Though Point Loma threatened with three straight for their own set point, graduate student middle blocker/outside hitter Fina Tuinauvai posted a solo block and quickly capped a 4-1 response with a kill for the 28-26 victory.

Tuinauvai again connected on multiple kills in the second set en route to Academy of Art forcing an 8-8 tie, but PLNU rebutted with nine of the next 10 scores. The match of momentum swings fittingly continued with ART U rattling off seven unanswered points including four kills from freshman outside hitter Kerrigan Habing. The Sea Lions' narrow 17-16 margin would then expand to 25-17 by the end of the second frame as the visitors evened the contest.

A 6-1 push by Point Loma in the initial stages of the third set had them up 10-6 and steady production resulted in an ensuing 8-3 burst yet kills from sophomore middle blocker/outside hitter Alohi Garcia and Ricard highlighted the Knights' 5-2 response to cut the deficit to 20-16. PLNU delivered one more run from that point, scoring on each of the last five possessions to win 25-16.

Just one point separated the two sides at 7-6 in the fourth frame, but a 13-2 surge spelled the difference as the Sea Lions went on to wrap up the victory on a 25-11 final.

The Urban Knights move to 5-12 on the year and 4-5 in PacWest play with Saturday's result. Leading the way offensively was Reed with her season-high 10 kills coming on a .400 hitting percentage while Ricard added eight kills. Senior setter Elly McInerney finished with her sixth double-double of the season by way of 24 assists and 11 digs, sophomore libero LC-Reece Nakagawa totaled a match-high 18 digs, and Tuinauvai collected the fourth-most solo blocks in the program's single-match history.

Point Loma remains undefeated in 2024, improving to 14-0 overall and 8-0 in conference action. Abigail Nua's 14 kills paced the Sea Lions, three others had nine or more kills, and Sophia Baugh posted a double-double with 38 assists and 17 digs.

Completing its six-part homestand, ART U will head to Menlo on Oct. 19 in its next contest before returning for three more home matches.