SAN FRANCISCO, CA - The Hawaii Pacific University Sharks fought valiantly but fell just short in a thrilling five-set match against the Academy of Art on Saturday afternoon at Kezar Pavilion in
San Francisco, CA. Despite their tenacity and a strong comeback effort, the Sharks were edged out 2-3 (13-25, 23-25, 25-20, 25-20, 12-15), dropping to 1-11 overall and 1-5 in PacWest play.
Match Recap
The Sharks found themselves in an early hole, dropping the first two sets 13-25 and 23-25. However, HPU came roaring back, taking sets three and four by identical 25-20 scores to force a decisive fifth set. The comeback was fueled by the offensive power of Kate Allan and Sofia Cooper, who delivered 17 and 10 kills, respectively, and a perfect third set for HPU with zero attack errors.
In the final set, the Sharks kept pace, but the Urban Knights' strong blocking and service game ultimately proved too much, as Academy of Art pulled away late to take the match 15-12.
Sharks' Standouts
- Kate Allan led the way with 17 kills and added 16 digs for a double-double performance.
- Sofia Cooper made her presence felt at the net with 10 kills and a team-high 9 blocks.
- Lauren Harris set up the offense, dishing out 25 assists, while Tehani Pescaia chipped in with 22 assists.
- Brynne Hopeau-Lampitoc anchored the defense with 22 digs and 2 service aces, playing a critical role in HPU's comeback efforts.
Team Comparison
- Kills: HPU 56 – ART U 53
- Digs: HPU 79 – ART U 61
- Blocks: HPU 13 – ART U 10
Despite the loss, the Sharks showed resilience and determination, pushing Academy of Art to the brink. With strong individual performances and a balanced attack, HPU will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming matches.
The Sharks return home to Honolulu for their next PacWest matchup, eager to turn their competitive play into wins. #GoSharks 🦈
