Box Score

Pilots Swept by Dons in WCC Road Action
 
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. --- Sophomore middle blocker Bea Loper and senior outside hitter Ariel Usher led the Pilots with seven kills apiece on Thursday, but the Portland Pilots lost a road West Coast Conference match to the San Francisco Dons at the War Memorial Gym in three sets (25-12, 25-21, 25-17).
 
After San Francisco (13-9, 4-5 WCC) shutdown the Pilots (6-18, 0-10 WCC) offense in the first set, a trio of upperclassmen kept the San Francisco defense guessing in the second set. Junior outside Autumn Wedan posted four kills in the set to offset three kills from Usher and fellow senior outside hitter Kate Bostwick.
 
Usher’s last kill in the set kept the Pilots within two at 22-20, but the Dons’ were able to close the set. San Francisco’s largest lead of the set was four, which was not accomplished until the final point of the set.
 
The third set carried much of the same close action as the second set with nine ties and two lead changes before either team reached 10 points. All the momentum shifted to the Dons with a 7-0 run, however, allowing San Francisco to close the match.
 
Sophomore defensive specialist Katie Mardesich led the Pilots with 12 digs, including eight in the second set. Wedan, meanwhile, set a career-high in blocks for the second straight match. After recording three against Loyola Marymount last weekend, she posted five tonight to lead all players.
 
Portland returns to the Chiles Center for a 3 p.m. match on Saturday against the No. 18 BYU Cougars.