Box Score
PORTLAND, Ore. --- Sophomore setter Madison Smith posted 32 assists and three kills and junior outside hitter Kati Hronek recorded 13 kills against the visiting Santa Clara Broncos, but the Broncos prevailed, sweeping the Pilots (27-25, 25-18, 25-20) Thursday night at the Chiles Center in front of 462 fans. Freshman Christina Harris came off the bench to post three kills and five digs. Kaleigh Durant had 15 kills and five digs as teammate Kayla Lommori posted 17 kills and 6 digs for the Broncos.
The Broncos (10-7, 1-2 WCC) hit .311 as a team, led by Durant and Lommori who combined for 32 of the Broncos 52 kills while the Pilots posted a hitting percentage of .196. The first was a close one, as the teams had seven ties and the one lead change came late in the set. Portland went up 24-21 after a kill by Hronek, but Santa Clara made it 25-24 with four consecutive points. Another kill by Hronek brought it to 25-25 but the Broncos closed the match with two kills. Kati Hronek had nine kills in the first set alone.
Santa Clara carried the momentum into the second set to take a 7-2 lead. The Pilots called a timeout at 9-3, but were unable to sustain momentum going forward. The teams traded points until 15-9 before sophomore Ariel Usher exited the match with an injury. Prior to leaving, Usher had four kills and seven digs. Harris came off the bench for the Pilots, delivering a strong performance for the remainder of the match. Santa Clara held off a Pilots rally to take a 2-0 advantage in the match.
However the Pilots came out fighting in the third set, as Hronek tied the score at 9-9 by finding open court on the Broncos side. The Broncos took command, however, taking 15-10 lead. Junior Marissa Plummer posted consecutive blocks, teaming up with sophomore Kate Bostwick on a double block and then adding a solo block to bring the Pilots with three. Santa Clara built a 23-16 lead and the Pilots rally again fell short, as the Broncos finished the set and the match, 25-20.
Portland head coach Joe Houck said afterwards, “At times we gave great energy, played with passion and it was great to see the younger kids come in and step up and play aggressively. We will continue to work hard and improve physically and mentally, which gives us experience that will pay off in the long run.”
Senior Danielle Dupar posted 11 digs and three assists while Bostwick added six kills and nine digs for the Pilots.
Portland continues WCC play at the Chiles Center this Saturday afternoon, as the Pilots play host to the San Francisco Dons (3-12, 1-2 WCC) at 1 PM.
