HONOLULU – Bouncing back from two competitive sets to start, ART U volleyball took control in the third set, but could not hold on, dropping a 3-1 (25-20, 25-20, 18-25, 25-19) decision to Hawaii Pacific inside Saint Andrew's Priory on Saturday night. As Academy of Art found its rhythm, three of sophomore middle blocker Jennifer Argelander's career-high nine kills came in the third set alone.

Strengthened by its home crowd, HPU went to work early and started the opening set with an 11-3 lead. A kill by redshirt junior middle blocker Safua Elisaia initiated a 6-1 response to bring the Urban Knights back and later her block alongside Argelander sparked a 7-2 surge that brought ART U to within one at 19-18. Hawaii Pacific would end on a 6-1 run, ensuring the victory 25-20.

An evenly-played second set saw its first momentum shift go the way of the Sharks with their 4-0 burst, but Academy of Art saved its own 6-0 surge for shortly thereafter. Senior outside hitter Bailey Soolsma notched both a kill and a service ace as the Knights moved ahead 16-14, but déjà vu came with HPU scoring on seven of the final eight points for another 25-20 win.

ART U wasted little time making its move in the third frame. Twin put-aways by Soolsma and freshman outside hitter Kimiah Johnson completed an 8-2 start and later a 6-2 run was capped by a service ace from freshman defensive specialist Michaela Charrette. After Johnson's kill gave the visitors a 22-13 advantage, Hawaii Pacific threatened a comeback with five of the next six points, but Argelander's kill helped finish off the 25-18 triumph.

It was an ominous 5-1 start for the Sharks in the fourth set and, though Academy of Art fought to within one point on multiple occasions, HPU did not relinquish the lead. Argelander built upon her career-high with kills down the stretch yet Hawaii Pacific scored on five of the final seven points to take the match after a 25-19 final.

Academy of Art drops to 2-8 overall and 0-4 in PacWest play, having been led by Soolsma's sixth double-double of the year (17 kills, 13 digs). Johnson added 13 kills while Argelander improved her career-best with nine kills plus five blocks. Junior Alana Lucas totaled a new season-high of 39 assists and freshman libero Ashley Pawlak contributed 14 digs. As a team, the Urban Knights collectively hit .294, marking their highest attack percentage since 2015.

The win rises Hawaii Pacific to 5-7 overall and 3-1 in conference thanks in large part to Cameryn Collie's team-high 10 kills.

ART U hosts NCAA Division III UC Santa Cruz back inside Kezar Pavilion this Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m