BELMONT, Calif. – The Concordia University Irvine women's volleyball team competed in another five set dual against Academy of Art Saturday and it came down to the wire as the Golden Eagles took the victory within just two points with scores 29-27, 25-21, 18-25, 18-25, and 16-14.
 
There was no short of excitement right out of the gates of the match as the Urban Knights took a 14-11 lead over the Golden Eagles after going on a six point run. CUI continued to battle in the set as Cassidy Gelacio took the back line to serve and three consecutive errors by their opponent gave a one point advantage to the Green and Gold with a score 25-24. The score toggled between the two until another two errors from ART U gave the set to CUI.
 
The next set was no different from the first as the teams battled it out until the end with CUI taking a 2-0 lead and just needed one more win to stay undefeated in the PacWest. The next two sets went in favor of Academy of Art as they went on a few long runs that extended their lead in each set and CUI was unable to get back in the sets and were able to force a fifth set.
 
The fifth set was the last battle of the match as the two teams left it all out on the court until the end. The score toggled between each team and remained close. Just when one team took a couple point lead over the other, the other team retaliated and came back. An attack error by the Urban Knights kept the Golden Eagles alive in the game as it was tied at 14 a-piece. A hitting error by ART U gave the one point advantage towards CUI and a kill from Danielle McCasland sealed the victory for the Golden Eagles.
 
The PacWest Defender of the Week Kirra Schulz continues to impress with another double-double on the day with 27 kills and 19 digs, while adding two critical aces. Freshman Cassie Prior made her presence known on the floor with 14 kills, four blocks, and nine digs.
 
Jalyssa Sanchez was unstoppable as she finished the match with 12 kills while hitting an impressive .579 and came up big at the net with five blocks. McCasland had eight kills and digs while Halli Hooks had three kills and four blocks.
 
Both setters finished with a double-double as Devin Sivertson had 31 assists and 16 digs while Michelle Feliciano dished out 25 assists and 15 digs. There was no shortage of defense for the Green and Gold as every player who made an appearance on the court throughout the five sets recorded at least one dig. Libero Julia Wilson had a stand out performance as she recorded a career-high of 31 digs.

The Golden Eagles move to 5-4 on the season and 2-0 in PacWest and will play against Holy Names Sunday, Sept. 11 at 1 p.m. CUI will host their first home conference game Saturday, Sept. 17 at 5 p.m. against Point Loma.
 
To see the full CUI women's volleyball schedule click HERE.