Box Score
PORTLAND, Ore. – The University of Portland Pilots volleyball team were swept by New Mexico in the final match of the Nike Invitational at the Chiles Center on Saturday night. The Lobos won the match with scores of 25-20, 25-19, 25-23.
Portland (2-5), playing in its second match of the day, gained momentum as the match wore-on but were ultimately unable to overcome the undefeated New Mexico (5-0). Jessica Clemens and Marissa Plummer were named to the all-tournament team for their performances this weekend. It was Clemens’ second year in a row.
The Pilots were led by the Clemens’ sisters with Maria posting nine kills and 12 digs, while Jessica tallied nine kills and 11 digs.
Danielle Dupar had a team-high 14 digs, while Kaylyn Jones set the pace at the setter position with 22 assists and also two block assists.
Senior Shelley Sievers and freshman Ariel Usher shared the match-high in blocks total with six, while each also added six kills.
UNM broke a 3-3 tie in the first set with three consecutive points to go ahead 6-3. A kill by Jessica Clemens stopped the Lobos scoring spree, but New Mexico responded with 11-8 run to extend its advantage to six, by a score of 17-11. With Portland trailing 24-20 after an flurry of kills from both teams, a kill by New Mexico’s Rose Morris ended the first set at 25-20.
The second set was a thrilling clash between the two teams of 14 ties and eight lead changes. Portland went neck-and-neck with New Mexico until 16-16 when a service ace from Lisa Meeter sparked a three-point-run for UNM. A kill from Madison Smith interrupted the Lobo’s momentum, but only temporarily as they strung together another three-point-run and raced to a 25-19 set victory.
The Pilots came out strong in the third set winning the first point with an authoritative block assist from Usher and Sievers. The remainder of the set seemed to be a repeat of the second with the Pilots forcing New Mexico to earn every single point. UNM eventually broke the gridlock on a Jade Michaelson kill to move ahead 19-18. An attacking frenzy from the Lobos set them up nicely with match point at 24-20. The Pilots were relentless and pulled to within one point at 24-23 before a kill from Allie Suiter sealed the victory for New Mexico.
Lisa Meeter and Ashley Rhoades led the Lobos with 10 kills each. Meeter also added nine digs, while Allison Buck had a match-high 15 digs.
The Pilots wrap up their five-matches in five days home-stand against No. 14 Oregon on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
2009 Nike Invitational Champions
New Mexico
MVP
Jade Michaelson, New Mexico
Nike Invitational All-Tournament Team
Allison Buck, New Mexico
Lisa Meeter, Mew Mexico
Jessica Clemens, Portland
Marissa Plummer, Portland
Cassandra Ricketts, American
Magdalena Tekiel, American
