Match #1
ART U Urban Knights (1-3) vs. Adams State Grizzlies (2-2)
Friday, September 9, 2011 at 12:00 PM MDT
Grand Junction, CO - Hamilton Rec Center
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Match #2
ART U Urban Knights (1-3) vs. Western State Mountaineers (1-3)
Friday, September 9, 2011 at 4:30 PM MDT
Grand Junction, CO - Brownson Arena
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Match #3
ART U Urban Knights (1-3) vs. Fort Lewis Skyhawks (0-4)
Saturday, September 10, 2011 at 1:15 PM MDT
Grand Junction, CO - Hamilton Rec Center
Live Stats
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Match #4
ART U Urban Knights (1-3) vs. Colorado Mesa (1-3)
Saturday, September 10, 2011 at 6:00 PM MDT
Grand Junction, CO - Brownson Arena
Live Stats
Live Video

THIS WEEK
The Academy of Art University women's volleyball team heads to Grand Junction, CO to take part in the Holiday Inn Crossroads Classic this Friday and Saturday. Last week the Urban Knights participated in the Humboldt State Tournament, finishing off with a hard-fought 3-2 victory against Saint Martin's University. There is no previous history between Academy of Art and any of the four schools they are facing. 

OPENING SERVE
On Friday, ART U faces Adams State at 12 p.m. and co-host Western State at 4:30 p.m. They will take on Fort Lewis on Saturday at 1 p.m. and shortly after the Knights will cap off the tournament against co-host Colorado Mesa at 6 p.m. All times are MDT.

SOCIAL NETWORKING
Remember to check @UrbanKnightNews on Twitter for score updates and recaps. Also become a fan of the Knights on Facebook by 'Like'-ing the Urban Knights page.

ON THE APPROACH
The Urban Knights were led by outside hitter and PacWest Weekly Top 10 Honor Roll selection Leinani Keanini and fellow senior middle blocker Amy Bush throughout the tournament at Humboldt. Keanini notched career highs in blocks and service aces, and now ranks fourth in the conference in both points per set (4.23) and kills per set (3.60). Bush, who led the PacWest in hitting percentage last season, racked up a .412 mark for the weekend tournament. Freshman outside hitter Brittany Ulmer (7.5) and freshman libero Midori Le (10.5) factored in big on the defense, totaling 72 digs between them.

TAKING ON THE BEST
Head Coach Allison Magner has lined up one of the most challenging schedules for the Knights. ART U is slated to play 12 regular season matches against teams ranked in the preseason poll, and two against teams that made appearances in the 2010 NCAA Tournament.

GROUNDING THE GRIZZLIES
The Adams State Grizzlies return four starters from their 2010 campaign, where they finished 9-17 overall and 6-12 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC). Adams State is coming off the West Texas A&M Tournament, where they went 2-2. In their win over Texas Woman's University, the Grizzlies had three hitters over the .400 mark, led by junior Dominique Davis (.448), followed by sophomores Megan Tapia (.438) and Deprece Washington (.417). This is the first meeting between the Knights and the Grizzlies.

MOUNTAINEERS ON THE MARCH
Western State is co-hosting the Holiday Inn Crossroads Classic one year removed from their best year since 2006. The Mountaineers finished with a 12-13 record in 2010, and a 7-11 record in conference. WIth an infusion of new faces (11 of the 15 roster spots are first-timers), Western State is led by a trio of sophomores. Outside hitters Josie Hopkins and Kallee Cool are joined by middle blocker Kelsie Dardis to make up a formidable triumvirate of offensive production. This also marks the first meeting between the Knights and the Grizzlies. 

STOPPING THE SKYHAWKS
Fort Lewis travels down the road from Durango to Grand Junction coming off a disappointing 0-4 showing at the Oredigger Volleyball Classic in Lockridge, CO. After finishing 2010 with a 15-12 record, and a 9-9 record in the RMAC, the Skyhawks were picked to finish fourth in the RMAC West. Even after topping their opponents in almost every category, Fort Lewis concluded the tournament winless. Saturday's match will mark the first time these two schools have met.

MAVERICKS PUSHED TO THE BRINK
Colorado Mesa, who will be co-hosting the Holiday Inn Crossroads Classic, have had a few days to recover from four straight five-set matches at the Oredigger Volleyball Classic, where they battled into the final set every time, including two 14-16 sets, and finished 1-3. The Mavericks are led by junior outside hitter Kelly Regimbal, who recorded a double-double against Southwestern Oklahoma and double digit kills in all four matches. Junior libero Megan Rush had 94 digs and freshman setter Jordyn Moody averaged 7.71 assists per game at the Classic. As with the other three schools, this is the first meeting between the Skyhawks and the Urban Knights. 

LOOKING AHEAD
ART U wraps up their non-conference schedule next week on Sept. 15 against William Jessup University (Rocklin, CA) before beginnning their PacWest slate on Friday, Sept. 17 against Dominican. Both games will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will be taking place at Kezar Pavilion.