HILO, Hawai'i – Hawai'i Hilo Women's Volleyball dropped the last three sets and fell to Academy of Art, 3-2 (25-17, 25-20, 25-27, 21-25, 12-15), in the Pacific West Conference opener Thursday evening in the Vulcan Gymnasium.

The Vulcans looked to be on their way to a straight-sets sweep with an eight-point cushion late in Set 3, but the Urban Knights managed to rally and marched back to take the frame, 27-25.

From there, the momentum seemed to stay on their side as ART U managed to come all the way back for the reverse sweep. Urban Knights led the entirety of the fourth set as the Vulcans later held just two brief single-serve leads at 7-6 and 8-7 in the final frame.

Despite Academy of Art committing five service errors through Sets 4 and 5 (15 total) — Hawai'i Hilo with none (five total) — the Urban Knights managed seven aces, including five in the final set.

Raelee Samio tallied eight kills (.316) and seven total blocks. Isabella Freeman added on seven roofs.

UP NEXT

Hawai'i Hilo moved to 0-1 in the PacWest (5-6 overall) as Academy of Art moved to a 1-0 conference record (2-7 overall).

The Vulcans are back in action Saturday night hosting Menlo at 7 p.m. in the Vulcan Gymnasium. The match will mark the first meeting between the two schools played as members of the PacWest Conference.

Hawai'i Hilo will then head back to Northern California for a four-game road slate against Dominican (Sept. 29), Academy of Art (Oct. 1), Menlo (Oct. 3) and Jessup (Oct. 5).