ANCHORAGE - The Alaska Anchorage volleyball team won more points overall, but visiting Academy of Art took the key rallies late in the first and third sets Friday as the Urban Knights earned a 28-26, 17-25, 25-23, 18-25, 15-10 win in the fourth match of the Extended Stay Deluxe Invitational at the Wells Fargo Sports Complex.
With the victory, Academy of Art (2-0) earns a spot in Saturday's 7 p.m. title match, where it will meet either UAA or the University of Mary.
While UAA produced a more balanced attack Friday, it was the dangerous hitting combo of Dan Yang (21 kills, 15 digs) and Jelena Jakovljevic (14 kills, 18 digs, 4 aces) that put the visitors from San Francisco over the top.
UAA was led by 15 kills, eight digs and four blocks from Jackie Matthisen, plus 14 kills, 13 digs and two aces from fellow sophomore outside hitter McKenzie Moss. Freshman middle blocker Marie Borowikow delivered impressive .370 hitting (12 kills-2 errors-27 attacks) and five total blocks, while senior setter Calli Scott notched 44 assists and nine digs.
The Seawolves were badly out-dug by the Urban Knights, 71-54, offsetting UAA's .200 to .133 advantage in attack percentage.
UAA will take on Mary (1-1) at 11 a.m. Saturday in the tourney's fifth match, with the winner earning a spot against the Knights in the title match. The UAA-Mary loser will take on Kentucky Wesleyan (0-2) in the 5 p.m. tilt for third place.