Match #9
ART U Urban Knights (2-6, 0-2 PWC) vs. UH Hilo Vulcans (3-5, 0-2 PWC)
Friday, September 22, 2017 at 7 p.m. HT (10 p.m. PT)
Hilo, Hawaii – UHH Gymnasium
Live Stats & Live Video

Match #10
ART U Urban Knights (2-6, 0-2 PWC) vs. Hawaii Pacific Sharks (4-6, 2-0 PWC)
Saturday, September 23, 2017 at 7 p.m. HT (10 p.m. PT)
Honolulu, Hawaii – Saint Andrew's Priory
Live Stats & Live Video

ART U CHALLENGES VULCANS, SHARKS IN PACWEST BACK-TO-BACK
Academy of Art University volleyball goes after its first Pacific West Conference win this week and will do so on the Hawaiian Islands. The Urban Knights go up against two of the PacWest's now three teams in Hawaii with UH Hilo and Hawaii Pacific on the horizon.

FIRST SERVE
The Knights' Hawaiian adventure first features UH Hilo on the Big Island this Friday, Sept. 22 inside UHH Gymnasium. Academy of Art then quickly hops to Oahu to take on Hawaii Pacific the following day, Saturday, Sept. 23, inside Saint Andrew's Priory. Both matches are slated to begin at 7 p.m. HT (10 p.m. PT). Live coverage will be available via the links above. Remember to follow @ARTU_Knights on Twitter & Instagram and "Like" the Urban Knights on Facebook for score updates, videos, and recaps.

KNIGHT WATCH
ART U remains fourth in the PacWest in service aces per set (1.65), improving its average after sophomore setter Lilika Teu notched a career-high with four against Notre Dame de Namur and junior setter Alana Lucas matched her career-high with three versus Dominican. Senior middle blocker Margaret Winkler continues to near the program's career records for total blocks as she now ranks second in the conference in blocks per set (1.36). She needs just 13 more rejections to top career record-holder Amy Bush. The Knights also pack a one-two outside hitter punch of senior Bailey Soolsma and freshman Kimiah Johnson. Soolsma averages 3.12 kills per set (ninth in PacWest) and Johnson comes off a career effort against Dominican in which she posted 20 kills and 18 digs. Often putting those two in positions to score, Teu is just outside the top five in the PacWest in assists per set (7.32).

HIGHS AND LOWS FOR HILO
Spending most of their time on the mainland thus far, UH Hilo is 3-5 overall and still looking for its first PacWest victory. The Vulcans defeated Holy Names in non-conference action to start the year then topped SF State and Cal Poly Pomona in the D2 West Region Showcase. They have since fallen to Chaminade and Hawaii Pacific on the islands. UH Hilo is led by Siera Green's 3.37 kills per set while Mina Grant adds a 4.83 digs per set average. The Knights and Vulcans have met 12 times previously with nine wins to the Hawaii side.

SHARK-INFESTED WATERS
Currently one of four teams that are 2-0 in PacWest play, Hawaii Pacific is the only one of those squads with an under-.500 overall record at 4-6. The Sharks defeated UC Colorado Springs and Cal State Los Angeles prior to their conference slate and are set to face Dixie State on Sept. 22 prior to ART U. HPU's top hitter is Perla Escobar who comes in with a 3.03 kills per set average. The Sharks lead Academy of Art 10-3 in the all-time matchup.

PENGUINS EDGE ART U IN FIVE-SET HEARTBREAKER
Academy of Art University volleyball's home opener went down to the wire on Sept. 16, but despite carrying a two-set lead, ART U wound up on the losing end of a 3-2 final (19-25, 17-25, 25-20, 25-20, 16-14) hosting Dominican inside Kezar Pavilion. Three Urban Knights finished with double-doubles in the match.

LOOKING AHEAD
ART U briefly departs PacWest Conference play for a Sept. 27 matchup hosting NCAA DIII UC Santa Cruz then resumes with Fresno Pacific in town on Sept. 29.