Box Score SAN FRANCISCO — The Dominican University of California women's volleyball team could never get any momentum going in a 3-0 (25-25, 26-24, 25-15) loss in the team's PacWest Conference opener versus Academy of Art University at Kezar Pavilion on Wednesday night.

The Penguins (2-7/0-1 PacWest) took a 2-0 lead to begin the match but wouldn't lead again until taking a brief 18-17 lead in set two. The Penguins were unable to hold the lead though and ART U (6-3/1-0 PacWest) regained it and led 23-22. Tied 24-24, an Isabel Emrich kill and poor communication by Dominican sent the Urban Knights into the locker room with a 2-0 lead. The tailspin continued in set three and ART U jumped out to a 12-1 lead. Dominican pulled within 14-8 on a 7-2 run but only one of those points came without an ART U error.

"We weren't on our game tonight," said Head Coach Gayle Stammer. "We're battling through some injuries, which means we need to be sharper and limit our mistakes. We didn't do that tonight."

Sophomore Madeline Powelson led the Penguins with eight kills. Freshmen Aimee Steinwand and Shannon Riggio-Kerley had three kills apiece. Senior Samantha Rains had four block assists and sophomore Susanna Pilkerton had three block assists.

Emrich and Melissa Brum had 11 kills each for the Urban Knights.

Dominican will head to Dixie State in Utah for a 12 p.m. PacWest match on Saturday, Sept. 20.