Pilots set to face southern California rivals

The University of Portland volleyball team (8-12, 1-6) aims to get back on track after dropping two road matches last week. The Pilots are now on a four game losing streak, the longest of the season. Portland will host southern California rivals Pepperdine (8-10, 4-3) and Loyola Marymount (16-6, 4-3). The Pilots are set to face the Waves on Thursday, Oct. 26 at 7:00 p.m. and the Lions in a Saturday, Oct. 28 matinee at 1:00 p.m.

The Pilots had a difficult trip to the Bay Area last week, dropping two 3-0 matches to Saint Mary’s and San Francisco. Hitting again proved to be the downfall for the team as Portland trailed in kills 109-76 over both matches and was out-hit by a combined .353 to .124 margin.

Sophomore middle blocker Ashley Grayson led the Pilots last week, finishing with 10 kills in each match and upping her team-best average of 2.90 kills per game in conference play. Junior outside hitter Nicole Thometz also  notched 10 kills and a match-high 14 digs against Saint Mary’s while senior libero Murphy McClenahan recorded 13 digs against the Gaels and 15 digs against the Dons.

Portland will face difficult tests in Pepperdine and Loyola Marymount. Pepperdine was ranked for much of the season, reaching as high as No. 18, while Loyola Marymount leads the conference in kills per game, digs per game and service aces per game. Both teams defeated the Pilots 3-0 earlier this season.

After the home stand, Portland will face Northwest rival Gonzaga on the road on Saturday, Nov. 4.

Scouting Pepperdine

Pepperdine enters the match with an 8-10 overall record while posting a 4-3 West Coast Conference mark. The Waves have played a difficult schedule, facing eight teams ranked in the CSTV/AVCA coaches’ poll. Pepperdine was ranked for much of the season, reaching as high as No. 18 before dropping out of the polls in recent weeks.

Pepperdine’s attack is led by a trio of spikers: Rachel Lumsden (3.52 kills per game), Julie Rubenstein (3.33 kpg) and Sophie Milo (3.30 kpg). The Waves backline is anchored by senior libero Kekai Crabbe, who is second in the WCC with a 4.72 digs per game average. The Waves are also getting it done at the net, averaging 3.34 blocker per game during WCC play. Cassi Chamberlain and Milo check in at third and fourth in conference play respectively with 1.35 and 1.33 blocks per game averages.

According to RichKern.com, Pepperdine is the tallest team by average in the country, featuring seven players 6’3” or taller.

Last week, the Waves dropped a 3-0 match at Loyola Marymount. The Waves have yet to win a game in an opposing team’s gym this season.

Portland/Pepperdine Series

The match will be the 40th meeting between the two schools, with the Waves holding a 37-2 overall edge. Pepperdine defeated the Pilots 30-20, 30-16, 30-26 in Malibu, Calif., earlier this season.

Scouting Loyola Marymount

Loyola Marymount enters the match with a 16-6 overall record and a 4-3 mark in WCC play. The Lions lead the WCC in kills per game (16.95), digs per game (18.91) and service aces per game (2.03). LMU’s mark for kills per game rankes seventh nationally while its number of digs per game checks in at 18th.

The star player for the Lions is Heather Hughes, who leads the team in kills (4.56) and digs (3.40) and is also the WCC’s top server, notching 0.62 aces per game. Hughes is has amassed 15 double-doubles on the season as well, tops in the conference. Hughes is the reigning WCC Player of the Week, helping the Lions sweep Pepperdine to snap a three game losing streak.

Other key players for the Lions include Christianna Reneau (3.83 kpg and 3.24 dpg), Emily Day (3.26 kpg and 2.88 dpg) and Sandy Krone (2.13 kpg, 1.58 bpg).

In WCC play so far, Loyola Marymount has defeated Santa Clara, Pepperdine, Gonzaga and Portland while dropping matches to San Diego, Saint Mary’s and San Francisco. Earlier this season, the Lions rattled off a 10 game winning streak after dropping a match to Tennessee.

Portland/Loyola Marymount Series

The match will be the 41st meeting between the two schools, with the Lions holding a 32-8 overall edge. Loyola Marymount beat the Pilots earlier this season 30-23, 30-22, 30-16. Last season, the Pilots swept the Lions at the Chiles Center.