Box Score

WICHITA, Kan. --- Sophomore Kate Bostwick delivered two key kills as part of a big set en route to secure a crucial second set. The Portland Pilots hit .358 as team in a 3-0 sweep (25-19, 30-28, 25-23) of the Stephen F. Austin Ladjacks Saturday afternoon at the Charles Koch Arena. The Shocker Classic champion will be determined Saturday night when the Pilots take on the host Wichita State Shockers.

The Ladjacks (2-5) pushed the Pilots (3-2) in the second set, twice threatening with set point. Portland answered both times with kills from sophomore outside hitter Kate Bostwick. Bostwick had eight kills in the second set and 11 overall.

The Pilots never trailed in the first or third sets, although Portland could not build a large lead in the third set as Monica Pannone, Kelsey Owens, and Allison Gideon combined for 12 kills to prevent the Pilots from stringing together a long run of points.

Junior outside hitter Kati Hronek posted a team-high 12 kills and middle blockers Ariel Usher (sophomore) and Marissa Plummer (junior) each notched 11. Sophomore setter Madison Smith dished out 45 assists. In five matches this season, Smith has four 40+ assists. Her highest total as a freshman last season was 32 in a five-set match against Gonzaga.

Portland picked up where yesterday’s match ended, spreading the attempts all over the court to thwart the defense of the Ladyjacks. After recording 20 blocks against the Pilots on Friday, the Ladyjacks managed just four on Saturday afternoon.

Kelsey Owens led the Ladyjacks with 14 kills. Mary Caitlin Bottles, who posted 10 kills and 10 blocks in yesterday’s match, did not play. After taking the first two sets against the Pilots on Friday, the Ladyjacks have dropped nine straight sets and three straight games.

Portland plays another match on Saturday as the Wichita State Shockers (3-1) await the Pilots in the championship game. Portland has not played Wichita State since 1996 when the Shockers defeated the Pilots in five sets at the Taco Bell Invitational in Reno, Nev. This will be the first non-neutral game between the two programs.