Menlo vs. Academy of Art - Game Stats

Menlo Season Stats

ATHERTON, Calif. - Menlo College couldn't match the size and strength of Academy of Art, but nearly matched the visiting Urban Knights point-for-point before falling, 25-23, 25-16, 20-25, 25-21, in a non-conference contest inside Haynes-Prim Pavilion on Tuesday night.

The Oaks started off strong, jumping ahead 11-4 on a Katie Pendley kill and 18-12 on a Kelsey Bailey ace in game one. Menlo still led 20-17 following Sarah Poole's kill, but saw Academy of Art take its first lead when it scored the next five points en route to the win.

Menlo faded late in the second game when a 15-15 score turned into a 25-16 decision thanks to three kills from the Urban Knights Amy Bush, but refused to quit. In the third game, the Oaks fought out of a 5-1 hole as neither team could take control. Neither side led by more than two points throughout most of the game until a Deborah Bekowies kill and two Shelby Goldman aces established a 22-18 Menlo advantage. Bekowies also closed out the game with a kill.

Though the Oaks played some of their best volleyball of the season against the NCAA Div. II Urban Knights, it was the visitors who fought off a late rally to take the fourth game and the match. Menlo allowed Academy of Art to score 10-of-12 points after tying the score at 13-13 on a Bekowies block, but ran off five straight points late to keep things interesting.

Katie Pendley and Kelsey Bailey each finished with a team-high 10 kills while Bekowies added eight kills and four blocks. Stephanie Williamson had 26 assists, Stephenie Monderine had 18 digs and Goldman finished with 15 digs.

Dan Yang led everyone with 20 kills, Jelena Jakovljevic added 12, and Melissa Cheng registered 38 assists for Academy of Art.

Menlo is now 3-6 heading into a match at 7 p.m. on Wednesday night versus UC Santa Cruz. Academy of Art is 12-3 overall.