SAN FRANCISCO -- Academy of Art volleyball bested Azusa Pacific in points, blocks, and digs on Friday afternoon inside Kezar Pavilion yet the Cougars managed to capture the 3-1 victory (25-18, 20-25, 25-23, 25-19) in the two teams' Pacific West Conference rematch. Among the standout performances were freshman libero LC-Reece Nakagawa's season-high 31 digs and graduate student outside hitter/right side Maya McClellan's match-high 18 kills plus 13 digs for her 10th double-double of the year.

Off to a strong start, ART U opened with a block by graduate student middle blocker Chandra Reed and freshman middle blocker/outside hitter Alohi Garcia then back-to-back Reed kills for a 3-0 lead. A 7-1 response by APU shifted momentum, but soon both teams were tying repeatedly. From 14-14, the visitors rattled off five straight yet kills from sophomore middle blocker Kaia Fittz and graduate student outside hitter Amalie Rupertova combined with Garcia's solo block to shorten the gap to 20-18. The first set would belong to Azusa Pacific though as five consecutive scores ended at 25-18.

A 5-0 surge marked by kills from Reed and McClellan put the Urban Knights in front 7-4 in the second frame and soon the margin was 11-6 on more kills by Reed and Rupertova plus a solo block from Fittz. The Cougars steadily chipped away and trailed 22-20 in the late stages, but Rupertova capped Academy of Art's 3-0 push to end the set on top 25-20.

ART U was again in front 7-3 to begin the third frame with the offense thriving on kills by Fittz, Reed, and McClellan before five straight points gave a 15-14 lead to Azusa Pacific midway through. Neither side could gain much of an advantage thereafter and it was only two points by APU following a 21-21 deadlock that allowed the Cougars to trade points for the 25-23 win.

Though Azusa Pacific jumped ahead 6-1 to begin the fourth frame, the Knights battled back on a solo block and multiple kills by McClellan to make it a 7-5 score. The difference was three points thanks to kills by Rupertova quickly thereafter, however, APU would not allow ART U any closer for the set's remainder. McClellan and Reed's kills brought their side to within four late before the match concluded on a 25-19 final.

The day's result puts ART U at 2-17 overall and 1-11 in conference play. McClellan's 18 kills and 13 digs came along with six blocks (two solo, four assisted) and three assists while Rupertova totaled 13 kills and 16 digs for her eighth double-double plus three service aces. Reed was the third Urban Knight with double-digit kills, putting up 10 with four block assists. Nakagawa's 31 digs, the highest number of the season by any Knight, were the ninth-most in program history. Junior setter Elly McInerney finished with 26 assists while Fittz matched her career highs with seven kills and five blocks (one solo, four assisted).

Now 12-8 overall and 9-3 in PacWest action, Azusa Pacific had Annaka Jorgenson's 15 kills lead the way though Kyra Palmbush was right behind with 14 kills to zero errors and a .519 hitting percentage. Brooke Bunker provided 26 assists and Paige Johnstone added 29 digs.

Back on the court inside Kezar Pavilion in less than 24 hours, Academy of Art next matches up with Point Loma on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 2 p.m.