HILO, Hawaii – Academy of Art University volleyball battled UH Hilo well into the second set, but ended up falling 3-0 (25-19, 30-28, 25-19) on Friday night. Three Urban Knights hit double figures in kills, but it was not enough to stop consistent offense from the home team.

An 8-2 run early in the first set put the Vulcans in control, but the Knights rallied  back to within two points at 17-15 after senior outside hitter Bailey Soolsma's second service ace in a 5-0 response. Seven of the final 11 points went the way of the home team and UH Hilo came away with the 25-19 victory.

Similarly to the first set, the Vulcans went up 11-4 to start the second, however, a 9-2 surge featuring four kills by freshman outside hitter Kimiah Johnson brought Academy of Art back into a 13-13 tie. The Knights then gained a 19-16 advantage as the offense flowed through Johnson, but UH Hilo offered their rebuttal and the teams were soon knotted once again at 23-23. Though ART U fended off three set points down the stretch and even had a chance to close the set in their favor as well, the Vulcans ended up making one last push to win 30-28.

Another Vulcans 8-2 run came three points into the third set and that margin would hold up the rest of the way. Freshman outside hitter Ashley Pawlak and Soolsma offered back-to-back kills to bring the Knights within five at 24-19, but a service miscue ended the set 25-19, giving Hilo the victory.

Academy of Art moves to 2-7 overall and remains in search of its first PacWest win three matches into its 2017 campaign. Johnson finished with 13 kills to lead ART U while Soolsma added 12 kills plus eight digs and Pawlak contributed 10 kills with eight digs as well. Junior setter Alana Lucas had a season-best 37 assists and freshman defensive specialist Michaela Charrette totaled a season-high nine digs.

UH Hilo exits Friday now 4-5 overall and 1-2 in conference play. Lucee Fitzgerald led the Vulcans with a match-high 15 kills.

The Urban Knights will travel to Oahu and face Hawaii Pacific in less than 24 hours to complete this year's Hawaii roadtrip. First serve inside Saint Andrews Priory is set for 7 p.m. HT (10 p.m. PT).