SAN FRANCISCO – Donning their pink uniforms in honor of breast cancer awareness, Academy of Art volleyball put up rallies in each set against Concordia, but could not keep the momentum going and dropped a 3-0 (25-13, 25-15, 25-17) decision to the Eagles inside Kezar Pavilion on Friday evening.

Sophomore middle blocker Jennifer Argelander ignited the crowd with the match's first kill and it was close early. However, an 8-1 run by CUI gave them an initial separation at 11-5. The Urban Knights would fight to within five after senior middle blocker Margaret Winkler's eighth solo block of the season, but Concordia closed out the 25-13 set with six unanswered points.

The second set began with kills from Argelander, redshirt junior middle blocker Safua Elisaia, and freshman outside hitter Kimiah Johnson, sparking ART U to gain an 8-4 advantage. After the teams traded brief runs, a 9-0 push by the visitors got them ahead 17-11. Both sides traded points briefly before CUI scored five of the final six points for a 25-15 victory.

The Eagles jumped out to a 6-2 lead in the third set and were later up 15-7, but Academy of Art responded with four of the next five points to stay close. Three consecutive kills later brought the Knights to within six though two CUI scores would secure the 25-17 frame and the match.

Academy of Art drops to 4-13 overall and 1-9 in conference play. Johnson led the Knights with six kills, freshman libero Ashley Pawlak added a match-high 11 digs, and sophomore setter Lilika Teu totaled 18 assists.

Concordia wins its fourth consecutive match and is now 8-8 on the year including a 4-5 PacWest record. Amber Rose finished with a match-high nine kills to lead the Eagles.

ART U continues its homestand with Dixie State in town on Monday, Oct. 16 for a 3 p.m. matchup.