Manoa, HI - The Hawaii Pacific University volleyball team went head to head with the Academy of Art on Saturday evening but fell short. The Sharks lost in a 3 set battle to the Urban Nights with set scores of 24-26, 17-25, 23-25.

The Sharks had a dominant run leading the first set going on a 9-2 run. Unfortunately, the Urban Nights fought their way back mid set tying the score at 17-17. The Sharks had the first opportunity to win the set with match point at 24-23, but the Academy of Art came in with two final kills and an attack error on the Sharks to secure the first set.

The second set starts out strong for the Sharks with a 7-3 lead. The Urban Knights powered through and were able to tie the score at 8-8. A powerful run from the Academy of Art allowed them to have a comfortable lead in the second set at 13-22. The Sharks couldn't make up for the lost points and ended the set losing 17-25.

The Sharks were seeking to start the third set with momentum, but gave their opponents an early 0-3 lead. The team continued to fight hard after coming back from a 13-17 score tying at 17-17. The rest of the match was point by point. Unfortunately, the Sharks fell in the last set with a nail biting score of 23-25, giving the Academy of Art their second conference win.

Key Performers
- Ella Schoene led the Sharks with 8 kills and 2 blocks
- Marley Sandoval followed with 7 kills and 3 digs
- Lindsey Tapp had 5 kills, 6 digs, and 2 service aces
- Tehani Pescaia had a total of 12 assists, with Lauren Harris following her with 11
- Brynne Hopeau-Lampitoc led defensively with 12 digs and 2 aces

Academy of Art's Kerrigan Habig was a major player for their offense leading her team with 10 kills. LC Reece Nakagawa put up 11 digs with Katherine Von Kraut's 4 blocks to lead the defense.

It was an unfortunate loss for the Sharks. HPU will see the Academy of Art next week on their trip to Northern California. Ultimately hoping to rewrite the outcome of this skilled match-up