ST. GEORGE, Utah – In four sets that were decided by three points or less, Academy of Art University Volleyball ended up falling to Dixie State 3-1 (25-23, 25-22, 22-25, 25-22) Sunday afternoon on the road.
From down 8-7 in the first set, ART U unleashed a 10-2 run highlighted by three kills from senior outside hitter
Bailey Soolsma. The Knights' seven-point lead began to dwindle, however, as DSU ended up coming all the way back and took the opening set 25-22 after a 13-3 response.
Battling through eight ties initially, the teams did not see separation until after 18-18 in the second set. Four unanswered points by the Trailblazers from 22-21 ended up spelling the difference in a 25-22 victory for Dixie State.
DSU went on multiple short runs in the early stages of the third set, but kills by Soolsma helped keep Academy of Art within striking distance. After falling behind 17-14, ART U caused a major momentum shift with a 6-0 burst that featured kills by sophomore middle blocker
Jennifer Argelander and freshman outside hitterÂ
Ashley Pawlak. Dixie State fought back to tie it twice, but four of the final five points to the 25-22 final were scored by the Knights including three kills from Soolsma.
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The fourth set was 4-4 before a 6-2 Trailblazer push helped contribute to the home team's largest lead of the set at 16-10. Academy of Art would then once again come from behind, scoring seven unanswered points to take a 17-16 advantage. Two service aces from Pawlak highlighted the run. That shift was met with another, however, as Dixie State executed a 7-2 run to go up 23-19. Though the Knights gave one final gasp with three of the next four points, but DSU held on to win 25-22 and earn the 3-1 victory.
ART U drops to 5-20 overall and 2-16 in conference play. Soolsma totaled a match-high 22 kills plus 12 digs for her ninth double-double of the season. Senior middle blocker
Margaret Winkler and Argelander had seven blocks apiece while junior setter
Alana Lucas posted 37 assists and Pawlak amassed 15 digs.
Dixie State improves to 13-13 on the year and 11-7 in the PacWest. Kayla Chapman's 12 kills paced the Trailblazers.
Academy of Art will return to San Francisco to play a rescheduled match against Holy Names on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. The Urban Knights' Senior Day will then be against Point Loma on Friday, Nov. 17 at 2 p.m.
