ART U Urban Knights (0-0) vs. Montana State Billings Yellowjackets (0-0)
Belmont, Calif. – Walter Gleason Gym
Live Stats & Live Video

Match #2
ART U Urban Knights (0-0) vs. Stanislaus State Warriors (0-0)
Belmont, Calif. – Walter Gleason Gym
Live Stats | Live Video

Match #3
ART U Urban Knights (0-0) vs. Cal State Monterey Bay Otters (0-0)
Belmont, Calif. – Walter Gleason Gym
Live Stats | Live Video

Match #4
ART U Urban Knights (0-0) vs. Chico State Wildcats (0-0)
Belmont, Calif. – Walter Gleason Gym
Live Stats | Live Video

Academy of Art University volleyball finds itself on the upswing in 2015 as the season's opening serve approaches. Under new head coach Ray Batalon and with a collection of talented individuals ranging from California to Europe, the Urban Knights look to build from a solid previous campaign in the year to come.

The 2014 season was a year of "firsts" for Academy of Art as the Urban Knights earned their first victories over six opponents, broke several records, and saw the program's inaugural All-American honorable mention named all in the program's best year since 2010. For more on ART U's 2014 campaign, click here!

In 2015, Academy of Art's 28-match journey begins on Sept. 4 with the Route 92 Tournament, the first of two non-conference tournaments, and a month of road games. After an early Hawaii trip and more PacWest play away from home, the Urban Knights can look forward to eight of their final 10 regular season matches inside Kezar Pavilion. For a full breakdown of ART U's 2015 schedule, click here!

Among a solid core of upperclassmen returning are captains setter Rachael Smith and outside hitter Melissa Brum. Both were All-PacWest Team honorees while setting multiple program records last season. Brum, a junior and AVCA All-American honorable mention in 2014, enters 2015 as a Preseason All-PacWest Team selection. Smith will join outside hitter Isabel Emrich as this year's senior class while libero Kabrina Speakman completes a junior tandem with Brum.

Complementing sophomore returners like middle blocker Margaret Winkler and outside hitter Bailey Soolsma is Blue Mountain Community College transfer and middle blocker Amorelle Applin. Last season, Applin helped the Timberwolves win the 2014 Northwest Athletic Conference Championship after guiding the squad to an impressive 50-4 record and a 34-match win streak. The Urban Knights' freshman class is seven players deep with previous redshirts, middle blocker Safua Elisaia and defensive specialists Lyndsay Mlynar and Kayla Johnson, mixing with four newcomers in outside hitters Hanna Kahn, Stine Raben, Sydney Koehler, and setter Alana Lucas.

Equipped with the skills to succeed after a productive preseason, Academy of Art will stand together as their 2015 campaign hits the court this week.