PORTLAND –The University of Portland volleyball team opened play battling the Loyola Marymount Lions to five set points and winning 31-29 in the first game, but lost the match, 3-1 (29-31, 30-16, 30-24, 30-16) tonight at the Chiles Center. Portland moves to 10-16 on the season, 1-12 in WCC play, while the Lions improve to 16-9 on the season, and post a 7-5 conference mark.

“I am disappointed we lost,” said Head Coach Doug Sparks. “I thought the girls put themselves in a position to win tonight, which is how I think you beat good teams. I was happy with the girls’ mental preparation for tonight’s match; what it came down to was we could not sustain good volleyball for two hours.”

The Pilots did not begin the first set strongly, but gained momentum as the set went on. Portland slowly chipped away at the Lions 10-7 lead. A block by Monique Kettler tied the match at 15. Liz Lord had a cross court kill that gave the Pilots an 18-17 lead which was the turning point in the set. Portland went on to hold Loyola Marymount to five game points taking the match 31-29.

In game two, the Lions came out strong taking an early 3-1 lead. A kill off the slide by Lord moved the Pilots to within one point, 4-3 and that would be the closest Portland got in this set. Loyola Marymount took the game 30-16.

Portland started game three with a 2-0 run, however, the Lions roared back with Kelli Nerison recording back to back kills for a 6-4 lead. The Pilots continued to fight; Oakland recorded a kill off an assist from Kara Pein bringing Portland within one point of LMU, 9-8. The Lions came out on top in the end taking the set 30-24.

LMU closed out the game and the match taking game four 30-16.

Sara Vercruyssen recorded her 14th double-double of the season with 19 kills and 11 digs. Oakland tacked on 14 kills and a .333 hitting percentage, while three Pilot players recorded double figure digs led by Murphy McClenahan’s 19. As a team, Portland recorded hit for .198 and was out blocked 11-7.

Kelli Nerison led all players with 20 kills and a .529 hitting percentage. Heather Hues added 18 kills and 14 digs. LMU hit for .367 on the night.

UP NEXT: The Pilots will host the Gonzaga Bulldogs in conjunction with a 25-year celebration of Portland Volleyball on Saturday, Nov. 20 at 7:00 p.m.