PORTLAND –The University of Portland volleyball team lost in three games (30-28, 30-20, 30-26) to the San Francisco Dons tonight at the Chiles Center. With the loss, Portland falls to 9-6 on the season and 0-3 in WCC action. Portland’s loss to the Dons evened the all-time series to 20-20. USF improves to 8-11 on the season, 1-2 in WCC play.

“The Portland volleyball team at this point doesn’t understand how hard you have to work to compete at this level,” said Doug Sparks. “San Francisco competed hard tonight. They understand how critical every point and every play is. Their coaches have been able to communicate this to their players and that was the difference in this match.”

USF scored first in game one, but Michelle Oakland tied it up on a kill down the line. The Dons held the advantage throughout the game and extended their lead to eight points mid-way through for an 18-10 lead. Portland chipped away at USF’s lead and came to within one point on a kill by Monique Kettler (28-29). USF’s KeLicia Shorts put the game away with a long kill near the back of the court for a 30-28 win.

Portland lacked intensity in game two and didn’t score a point until the Dons recorded a five-point lead. Slowly Portland came back into it with back-to-back kills by Sara Vercruyssen down the line. Monique Kettlers’ back-to-back kills off the slide put Portland back in reach at 13-14, but the Dons pressed for points and the Pilots would score just seven more in the game. USF’s 20 team kills and .405 hitting percentage overwhelmed Portland’s offensive attack. The Pilots tallied 14 kills and a marginal .225 hitting efficiency in game two, which was their best game of the match.

Oakland opened the scoring in game three on a hard hit quick set for an early 1-0 Pilot lead. The Dons responded, but the score remained tight throughout the game as the lead changed four times. Portland went on a 3-0 run for a 23-20 lead, but USF then went on a 10-3 run for a 30-26 victory. Portland tallied four less kills than USF in game three (14) and hit for a game-low .159 hitting percentage.

Sara Vercruyssen led Portland with 13 kills and a .200 hitting percentage, along with seven digs. Liz Lord totaled 12 digs, while Sheena Surplus dished out 39 assists. The Pilots managed a .182 hitting percentage on the night and were out blocked 10 to five.

Three USF players tallied double-figure kills on the night, led by Stephanie Voelcker’s 16 spikes and 16 digs. Jamie Kartchner posted 46 assists and 10 digs on the night. The Dons hit for .299 as a team.

UP NEXT: The Pilots will face Saint Mary’s tomorrow night at the Chiles Center at 7:00 p.m.