PORTLAND –The University of Portland volleyball team continued play at the Nike Portland Invitational with a quick, but impressive 3-0 (30-14, 30-20, 30-25) sweep of Cal Poly tonight. The Pilots roll on a two-match win streak and improve to 6-3 on the season, while Cal Poly drops to 2-7 overall. In earlier action today at the Nike Portland Invitational, Cal Poly defeated Utah Valley State, 3-2 (30-28, 25-30, 30-20, 23-30, 15-11), while Portland State claimed a five-game victory over UC Davis, 27-30, 30-28, 28-30, 30-24, 15-9.

“I thought that we played really well,” said head coach Doug Sparks. “I am really happy to beat an NCAA caliber team. That was not their brightest moment of the year, but Cal Poly is one program that I have a lot of respect for. I feel like we took a solid step towards getting over the hump tonight and we took a big leap to get where we want to be.”

Portland took an early 4-0 lead on kills by Michelle Oakland and Kelly Whitehouse. The Pilots then jumped ahead, 10-3, and continued to pressure the Mustangs’ defense with hard hits from all angles. A Murphy McClenahan service ace opened Portland’s biggest lead of the game as the Pilots cruised to an easy 30-14 win. Portland hit for .389 in game one, compared to Cal Poly’s .028 hitting percentage. Portland also held the Mustangs to a game-low five kills in 36 attempts.

Portland held the advantage for most of game two, there were just three lead changes and five tied scores. The Pilots’ lowest hitting percentage of the night came in game two (.216), but was better than Cal Poly’s highest hitting percentage of the night (.214 in game three). Skillful passing and hard hitting helped the Pilots to a 10-point win (30-20) in the second set.

Game three saw Portland’s up tempo style of play falter as the Mustangs were able to pound out 19 kills. Portland bounced back and managed to regain control of the game , but had five game and match point opportunities before finally getting the win. Cal Poly’s Kayla Mulder sent the ball into the net on the serve, giving Portland the 30-25 victory.

Freshman Kelly Whitehouse led all players with a career-best 15 kills and 10 digs, her second-consecutive double-double. Murphy McClenahan led Portland in the back row with 20 digs. In the past two matches alone, McClenhan has averaged over 20+ digs per match. Michelle Oakland hit for .579 and tallied 12 kills, while Nicole Thometz surpassed her own career-best that was set last night with 17 digs. Liz Lord has been solid all weekend and tonight was no different. Lord picked up nine kills and hit for .300, while tallying 14 digs on the night. Sheena Surplus set her players up well, recording 41 assists in the match. As a team, Portland hit for .283, while getting out-blocked seven to four.

“Liz Lord is having a great year,” said Sparks “Michelle Oakland hit .579 and had double figure kills. I thought that everyone performed well and I was very pleased.”

Emily Doris led the Mustangs with 12 kills and 11 digs. Kristin Jackson tacked on 19 digs in the back row, while Beck Glasgow posted 22 assists.

UP NEXT: The Pilots will continue play tomorrow at the Nike Portland Invitational facing UC Davis at 12:30 p.m. and Utah Valley State at 7:30 p.m.