(Photo courtesy of Joe Poellot/UHH)

HILO, Hawaii-- The Vulcans lost a 25-21, 14-25, 25-23, 25-21 heartbreaker to Academy of Art in the Vulcan Gym. 

The Vulcans (13-5, 10-4 PacWest) and Urban Knights (8-14, 5-9 PacWest) went back-and-forth in the first set, but it was ART-U who ran away with the 25-21 win. Samara Cruz recorded five kills, Kamilla Marinas tallied three, and three other Vulcans - Kendall Kott, Bria Beale, and Sydney Gott - registered two.

UH Hilo bounced back in the second with a 25-14 win. The Vulcans broke away from the Urban Knights at 6-6 when Beale slammed in a kill. UHH led for the remaining of the set, Beale and Ashton Jessee fired away on the Urban Knights with five kills each in their 25-14 win. 

ART-U came back strong, dazing UH Hilo with a 7-0 lead in the third set. The Vulcans were able to close the gap - but were unable to bring the win home. Tani Hoke had a service ace to knot the score at 17-17 followed by a Marinas block to give UHH the lead. From there Academy of Art was able to battle back, taking the eventual 25-23 win.

The Vulcans reset and started the fourth set strong, leading all the way up to 15-15. A service ace by the Urban Knights' Sadie Emery gave them the lead which they held until their 25-21 win.

Jessee capped the night with a .500 hitting percentage, Hoke led the court with 25 digs, and Kott handed out 48 assists. Beale was the Vulcan kill leader totaling 14, followed by Gott with 12, and Cruz and Jessee with 10 a piece. 

The Vulcans have six games left on their homestand. Next up for UHH is Fresno Pacific on Saturday, Nov. 6 at 7pm in the Vulcan Gym.

To view the volleyball schedule, CLICK HERE.