Match #8
ART U Urban Knights (2-5, 0-0 PWC) vs. Concordia Eagles (6-2, 0-0 PWC)
Friday, September 20, 2019 at 7 p.m.
San Francisco – Kezar Pavilion
Live Stats & Live Video

Match #9
ART U Urban Knights (2-5, 0-0 PWC) vs. Biola Eagles (3-5, 0-0 PWC)
Saturday, September 21, 2019 at 3 p.m.
San Francisco – Kezar Pavilion
Live Stats & Live Video

ART U OPENS CONFERENCE PLAY WITH TWO EAGLES TEAMS
Coming off a week that saw Academy of Art volleyball win a pair of D2 West Region Showcase matches and nearly knock off tournament host UC San Diego, ART U is set to make its home and Pacific West Conference debut against Concordia (Calif.) and Biola in San Francisco this week.

FIRST SERVE
Returning to Kezar Pavilion for the first time this year, the Urban Knights are set to host Concordia (Calif.) this Friday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. then Biola on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 3 p.m. Live coverage will be available via the links above. Remember to follow @ARTU_Knights via the athletics app (Apple App Store, Google Play Store) and on Twitter & Instagram as well as "Like" the Urban Knights on Facebook for score updates, videos, and recaps.

KNIGHT WATCH
Named PacWest Player of the Week for the first time in her career, junior outside hitter Ashley Pawlak settled into a nice rhythm averaging 3.56 kills and 3.61 digs per set across ART U's 2-2 week. She currently ranks third in the PacWest in kills per set (3.14), is tied for eighth in service aces per set (0.41), and has posted three consecutive double-doubles. With double-digit kills in her last three matches, sophomore middle blocker Jillian Wheaton enters the week ranked fourth in the conference in hitting percentage at .405 while sophomore setter Picabo Reinhold is averaging 8.76 assists per set (fourth in the PacWest) with five double-doubles as well. Pawlak and Reinhold are two of four Urban Knights currently putting up 3.00 digs per set with junior libero Catharina Brant Bambirra the team leader (3.38).

FLIGHT OF THE CONCORD-IA
After going 10-20 overall last year, Concordia (Calif.) was picked to finish sixth in the PacWest according to the preseason coaches poll. The Eagles started 2019 with six wins to just two losses, defeating Montana State Billings, Saint Martin's, and Chico State in the same D2 West Region Volleyball Showcase as ART U. CUI will face Point Loma for its home and conference opener on Sept. 18. Concordia (Calif.) carries offensive and defensive leaders with Mackenzie Jensen atop the conference in hitting percentage (.583) and kills per set (4.00) plus Julia DenBoer number one in digs per set (7.00). In the historical matchup, CUI is 6-0 all-time versus the Urban Knights.

THE BIOLA BIO
Winners of 30 of 36 matches last season, Biola came into 2019 slated to finish third in the PacWest according to the preseason coaches poll. Two tournaments into this year, the Eagles are 3-5 after having faced tough competition in the Alaska Anchorage Invitational and the D2 West Region Showcase hosted by No. 2 Cal State San Bernardino. BU will start its Northern California roadtrip at Holy Names on Sept. 20 prior to this weekend's action at Academy of Art. Biola is led by Sabrina Winslow's 2.88 kills per set and Abigail Copeland's 1.00 blocks per set. The Knights and Eagles have only faced off three times previously and BU has been the victor on each occasion.

LOOKING AHEAD
As the homestand continues, Academy of Art will next host Notre Dame de Namur for its "Dig Pink" night on Sept. 25 then Point Loma (Sept. 27) and Azusa Pacific (Sept. 28).