Box Score

Broncos Hand Pilots Home Loss
 
PORTLAND, Ore. --- Senior outside hitter Ariel Usher posted 13 kills on a .303 attacking percentage while middle blockers Rachel Femling and Bea Loper combined for 14 kills with six blocks, but the Santa Clara Broncos defeated the Portland Pilots 3-1 (23-25, 25-23, 25-12, 25-15) Thursday night at the Chiles Center.
 
Portland’s record is 6-13 with an 0-5 mark in the West Coast Conference while Santa Clara improves to 13-5 with a 3-1 record against WCC foes.
 
After falling behind early in the first set, the Pilots rallied behind Femling and Loper as the duo accounted for five of the team’s first seven kills in the match. Femling’s third kill of the set - a powerful blast right into the middle of the Broncos defense - gave Portland its first lead at 14-13 after Loper had twice tied the score.
 
When freshman setter Lexi Dempsey subbed back into the match a few rotations later, the Pilots spun a 10-3 run for a comfortable lead for a 24-18 advantage. Dempsey infused life into the rally with back-to-back service aces early in the run and then continued to fuel the momentum with three assists before the set would end.
 
Dempsey tied a career high with three service aces in the match, adding 13 assists and four digs. Usher, meanwhile, just missed her first double-double of the season with her 13 kills and nine digs.
 
Loper tallied eight kills and two blocks while Femling posted four blocks, adding six kills on just 13 swings.
 
Portland returns to action on Saturday against the San Francisco Dons at 1 p.m. The match is Portland’s annual Dig Pink match in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month. The first 150 fans will receive a commemorative Dig Pink shirt.