Box Score
SEATTLE, Wash. --- Four Pilots posted double-digit kill totals but Seattle rallied late to defeat the Pilots in a heartbreaking five set match Tuesday night at the Connolly Center. Sophomore Madison Smith set a career-high in assists with 63, senior libero Danielle Dupar set a career-high in digs with 40, and sophomore Kate Bostwick set a new career-highs in kills (14) while junior Marissa Plummer tied her career best (15).
Seattle (7-8) relied on their fifth set experience this season to defeat the young Pilots (6-9). Portland led 10-7 before Janet Beckerman and Cristin Richards took over for the Redhawks. Tied 13-13, the duo peppered the Pilots back row with attacks before Julia Bonadio found some open court for the point.
Bostwick led the Pilots’ attack in the first set, notching five kills and a service ace as the teams traded points for much of the game. There were 17 ties and 10 different lead changes but Portland finished stronger. Down 23-21, the Pilots rallied to take five of the last six points. More importantly, Portland, facing set point, buckled down to take the final three points on emphatic kills from sophomore Ariel Usher and Plummer along with a service ace from Dupar.
Portland carried that momentum into the second set, jumping out to a 12-7 lead as Plummer continued to torment the Redhawks. Seattle came out of their timeout strong, however, taking 10 of the next 12 points en route to a 17-14 advantage. Portland came within two points several times but were unable to rally consecutive points, allowing the Redhawks to take the second set.
The Pilots turned to a third threat in the third set, as Usher came out of the intermission on fire. After recording three kills over the first two sets, Usher posted nine kills in the third as the Pilots ran away to take a 2-1 set advantage. Usher finished with 21 kills, but Richards led the match for Seattle with 27.
Seattle came out with the advantage in the fourth set as Beckerman and Richards teamed up to give Seattle a 16-11 lead. Portland clawed back, taking seven of nine and came within one point at 19-18. Richards, however, took over to finish the Pilots and send the match to the fifth set. Seattle has now played nine five-set matches after playing only six last season.
Dupar, who entered the season ninth on the Pilots’ all-time career digs list, has now leapt all the way up to fifth with a total of 285 digs this season. The lone senior on the Pilots roster is also averaging a program-best 5.85 digs per set, which also ranks ninth in the nation.
The Pilots return to Portland for the 2010 home opener on Tuesday, September 28, against Trinity Western. Portland then heads to California for West Coast Conference openers against St. Mary’s (Thursday, Sept. 30 – 7 PM) and San Diego (Saturday, Oct. 2 – 1 PM).
