(BELMONT, Calif.) PLNU Women's Volleyball rolled to a three-set road sweep of Academy of Art on Friday night to open up PacWest play, winning by set scores of 25-20, 25-6, 25-21.
 
Point Loma never trailed at any point in the match, hitting .310, .536 and .409 in the first, second and third sets respectively.
 
With the Sea Lions leading 8-7 in the first, a trio of service aces sparked PLNU on a 9-2 run that gave the visitors firm control of the opening stanza.
 
Point Loma's strong serving then propelled the Sea Lions in the second set as well.
 
"We kept the pressure on them with our serve, especially that really long run by Courtney in set two," PLNU Head Coach Jonathan Scott said.
 
After Claire Smith's kill gave PLNU an 11-6 lead in the second, Courtney Dyer served for 14-straight points, as the Sea Lions closed the set on a 15-0 run. In that stretch, Dyer served two of her match-high four service aces.
 
Dyer, who leads PLNU with 16 aces this season, now ranks sixth all-time in PacWest history with 132 career service aces, 26 behind first place.
 
Academy of Art responded in a much more competitive third set, which was tied as late as 19-19. Then with the Sea Lions leading 22-21, a Bailey Williams kill started a 3-0 PLNU run that completed the sweep. Grace Hicks and Gabby Hicks combined for a block before the elder Hicks sister finished off the match with a kill.
 
"It was fun to see the Hicks sisters share a block there at the end, which was totally all little sister," Scott said.
 
Abigail Nua led all players with 16 kills, while Torina Hommes and Williams also reached double digits in the category with 10 kills apiece. Lauren Phillips dished out 40 assists, setting a new three-set match personal record.
 
"Lauren distributed a really powerful and efficient offense," Scott said.
 
Point Loma (6-3 overall) concludes its northern California trip to begin conference play with a 1 p.m. matchup on Saturday against Dominican in San Rafael.