CARSON, Calif. – In action for the first time this season, Academy of Art volleyball grabbed its first two sets, but ended up falling to La Sierra 3-2 (18-25, 18-25, 25-14, 25-20, 15-13) inside Cal State Dominguez Hills' Torodome as part of the Toro Classic.
After back-to-back block assists from sophomore middle blocker
Jillian Wheaton gave the Urban Knights an early boost, ART U established a four-point advantage at 14-11 on a Wheaton kill followed by her fourth block of the set. As the run turned into a 15-7 push to end the frame, junior middle blocker
Carly Evetts and sophomore outside hitter
Celena Davison each put away two kills apiece, securing the 25-18 victory for Academy of Art.
The momentum from the opening set carried into the second as the Knights jumped in front 11-5 to start. From there, Wheaton, Evetts, and junior outside hitter
Ashley Pawlak each benefitted from assists off the hands of sophomore setter
Picabo Reinhold who totaled 14 assists by the end of another 25-18 set victory for ART U.
With its back against the wall, La Sierra was able to hold off elimination with a 25-14 win in the third before hitting .324 for 15 kills in the fourth. The Golden Eagles evened the score at two sets apiece with a 25-20 triumph, bringing the teams to a crucial fifth set.
Repeatedly going back-and-forth, the final frame was as drama-filled as any and fittingly culminated with the sides knotted at 13-13. In the end, an attack error and a block put La Sierra over the top for a 15-13 result and the match.
ART U opens the year 0-1 despite having double-digit kills from both Pawlak (11) and Wheaton (10) plus Reinhold's first double-double of the year in the form of 32 assists with 11 digs. Wheaton added a team-high five blocks while junior libero
Catharina Brant Bambirra collected a team-high 16 digs and junior defensive specialist
Michaela Charrette finished with 14 digs.
La Sierra improves to 7-4 on the season after getting a match-high 25 kills from Kiana Krumm. Angala Jensen contributed 34 assists while Trinity Wyscarver amassed 18 digs.
Continuing the Toro Classic tomorrow, Academy of Art matches up with Humboldt State at 9 a.m. then awaits a final pairing with tournament host Cal State Dominguez Hills at 4 p.m.
