Box Score Box Score
MORAGA, Calif. --- Sophomore setter Madison Smith posted 20 assists and sophomore middle blocker Ariel Usher recorded eight kills but the Saint Mary’s Gaels swept the Portland Pilots (25-12, 25-18, 25-14) Thursday night. The Pilots’ loss at the McKeon Pavilion marks the beginning of WCC play for both teams.
The match opened with the Pilots (7-10, 0-1 WCC) and Gaels (9-5, 1-0 WCC) trading points but well-placed serves by the Gaels and four kills by Gabby Jolly allowed Saint Mary’s to turn an 8-8 tie into a 21-8 lead. Saint Mary’s had five service aces in the first set and 10 in the match.
Portland kept it close early in the second set, trailing 9-7 after sophomore Ariel Usher hammered home a kill. The Gaels, who have received votes in the coaches poll all season, responded quickly though, taking six in a row before sophomore outside hitters Rachel Femling and Kate Bostwick combined for three kills in a row. Saint Mary’s once again had an answer to the Pilots’ rally, taking six of seven to build a 22-11 lead. Facing set point, freshman Monica Jordan came in to serve four straight points for Portland but Lauren Corp stopped the rally with a kill to give Saint Mary’s a 2-0 set advantage.
“Every match we are presented with learning opportunities. We need to expand our ability to trust what we can do and then go out and trust our ability to repeat it,” Portland head coach Joe Houck added after the game.
Shannon Lowell posted a game-high nine blocks whiles Corp led all players with 13. Freshman middle blocker Mckenzie Oliver tied a career-high with four blocks and fellow freshman Monica Jordan recorded 11 digs with four assists.
Portland concludes the brief road trip on Saturday at 1 PM against San Diego (9-4, 1-0 WCC), which defeated Gonzaga Thursday night.
