Box Score
 
PORTLAND, Ore. --- Redshirt-junior MB Rachel Femling stepped up with five big kills in the fifth set while sophomore OH Autumn Wedan posted a career-high 16 kills in the match to guide the Portland Pilots to a thrilling five set victory over the San Francisco Dons (25-23, 20-25, 25-14, 21-25, 15-13) in front of a energetic crowd Saturday afternoon at the Chiles Center.
 
San Francisco (11-6, 3-1 WCC) jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the fifth set before the Pilots (7-10, 1-3 WCC) dialed up the pressure. Femling recorded three kills in the span of four points before a kill by senior OH Kati Hronek forced the Dons to take a timeout. After USF picked up a point, Femling recorded another kill to bring the Pilots within two.
 
“The way the fifth set was going early, it was really important for Rachel and Autumn to both put away balls late,” head coach Joe Houck said following the match. “Very few people can stop Autumn when she’s that physical.”
 
A fortified blocking rotation foiled the Dons offense in the fifth as the Pilots took their first lead of the set at 11-10. USF tied the pivotal set up at 13 before Femling gave Portland the serve with an emphatic kill. Facing match point, the Dons next attack landed just outside the line to give the Pilots their first WCC victory of the season.
 
“What I loved about it was that we were showing signs of maturity with our adjustments and ability to execute,” Houck added. “Katie Mardesich has improved with match control from the libero position and I cannot say enough about the defense job she gave us today.” Mardesich led all players with 17 digs.
 
In addition to their late match heroics, Femling and Wedan paced the Pilots in the third set with four kills apiece as the Pilots jumped ahead early to cruise to a 25-14 victory and a 2-1 advantage in the match.
 
Senior MB Marissa Plummer recorded three blocks in the first set to pass Gretchen Sanders for fourth all-time in UP history. Two of Plummer’s blocks came on the final two points of the set to give the Pilots the early 1-0 advantage. She finished the afternoon with four blocks, giving her a career total of 331.
 
Wedan, who missed last weekend’s match against Loyola Marymount, improved upon her performance from Thursday. After tying a career-high with 13 kills against the Santa Clara Broncos, Wedan posted a new career-high with 16 kills on a .294 attacking percentage. Hronek and Femling both finished the match with 14 kills, a career-high for Femling,  while junior OH Ariel Usher added 10 kills, five blocks, and a career-high seven assists.
 
Both of Portland’s setters posted impressive numbers as well. Freshman Sam Moore recorded 23 assists and two service aces while sophomore Monica Jordan recorded 24 assists and 16 digs.
 
USF was led by Vendula Strakova, who had a match-high 20 kills. Joan Caloiaro had 46 assists for the Dons with five digs.
 
Portland has now won three straight matches against the Dons.
 
The victory concludes Portland’s six match homestand, which saw the Pilots go 3-3. Portland hits the road for their first batch of conference matches away from the Chiles Center next weekend, starting in San Diego on Thursday (7 pm) before trekking over to Saint Mary’s for a 1 pm match on Saturday.