Box Score Box Score
PULLMAN, Wash. --- The Portland Pilots volleyball team opened the 2009 season with a 3-0 straight-set win over the Montana State Bobcats on the first day of the Nike Cougar Classic at Bohler Gym. Junior Jessica Clemens led the Portland attack with 13 kills as the Pilots won 25-21, 25-18 and 25-16.
Jessica’s sister and senior teammate Maria added 11 kills, while senior Kaylyn Jones added 22 assists. In her collegiate debut, freshman Madison Smith totaled 16 assists.
Portland opens the season at 1-0, while the Bobcats sit at 0-1.
The Pilots wasted little time taking command of the first set as six different players connected on a kill to help UP build a 14-8 lead. The Bobcats were able to cut the deficit to one point at 17-16 and again at 20-19, but Portland ended the match with a 5-2 run to claim it. Sophomore Marissa Plummer sealed the win with her third kill of the set.
The second set followed a similar script as the Pilots jumped out to a 17-10 advantage. Portland would cruise from there en route to the seven-point win. The third set was never in doubt as the Pilots again held the Bobcats in the teens.
Junior transfer Jessica Baty was also impressive in her Pilot debut making 16 digs on the day. Maria Clemens just missed a double-double with eight digs.
Portland was on the mark, finishing with an attack percentage of .312. In the third and final set, the Pilots put up a percentage of .458. Montana State wasn’t quite as accurate with its attack, coming in with a percentage of .047.
Senior Shelley Sievers and Plummer both finished with six kills.
Kyla Hendry led the Bobcats with seven kills, while Taylor Faught finished with 22 assists.
Portland returns to the court with a pair of matches on Saturday. First, the Pilots battle UC Davis at 10:00 a.m. Portland then concludes play at the tournament with a 7:00 p.m. match against host school Washington State.
