Box Score Box Score
LARAMIE, Wyo. --- Junior Kati Hronek posted a team-high 14 kills but the Portland Pilots could not overcome the hot-hitting Wyoming Cowgirls in the opening match of the 2010 Cowgirl Classic. Jodi Purdy and Lauren Whitney combined for 35 kills to lead the Cowgirls to a 3-1 (25-18, 25-22, 24-26, 25-16) victory over the Pilots Friday morning in Laramie, Wyo., at the UniWyo Sports Complex.
Despite the loss, the Pilots (4-3) threatened in each of the first three sets. Portland opened the first set with a 6-2 lead before the Cowgirls (9-0) began blocking the Pilots attacks. The Cowgirls recorded three blocks in the span of four points to take a 7-6 advantage and capitalized on a 0.029 hitting percentage from the Pilots to take the first set.
Portland struggled offensively in the second match, spotting the Cowgirls nine points through errors. Despite the errors, Portland kept the set close, trailing 20-19 in before Purdy and Whitney strung together three consecutive points to allow Wyoming to pull away.
Pilot attackers awoke in the third set, hitting a sizzling 0.419. Trailing 20-19 for the second consecutive set, however, Portland capitalized on a Wyoming service error and back-to-back kills by juniors Marissa Plummer and Hronek to force a fourth set. The Cowgirls responded with a 0.438 hitting percentage in the fourth set to remain undefeated.
The Pilots struggled offensively throughout the match, hitting 0.179 as a team with 48 kills. Portland hit 0.061 in the first two sets before rebounding to hit 0.316 in the last two sets. Sophomore Rachel Femling led all players with a 0.438 hitting percentage on nine kills. Sophomore Madison Smith recorded 34 assists, snapping a streak of four matches with at least 40 assists.
Wyoming continued their torrid start to the season as Jodi Purdy posted a game-high 20 kills to compliment a 0.436 hitting percentage. Purdy also added five blocks and 10 digs for the Cowgirls. Lauren Whitney finished with 15 kills on a 0.323 attack percentage with four service aces. Jenna Rae Jester recorded seven blocks as the Cowgirls finished with a 13.0 to 5.0 advantage.
The Cowgirl Classic continues Friday evening as the Pilots take on the Boise State (6-2) at 4 p.m. The loss to Wyoming snaps a three match winning streak for the Pilots.
