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WACO, Texas. --- The Pilots rallied to take the third set and led for much of the fourth, but the Texas A&M- Corpus Christi Islanders were able to escape with a 3-1 win over Portland in the season opener at the Baylor Invite at Farrell Center on Friday afternoon. The Pilots were led by senior outside hitter Emily Liger and sophomore middle blocker/outside hitter Makayla Lindburg, who both recorded double-doubles on the night.
 
The Islanders (1-0) won games one, two and four with scores of 25-21, 25-23, and 25-23, respectively. Portland claimed the third set 25-23 after coming back from three points down late. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi was led by senior right side hitter Brianna Brink, who led the match with 21 kills.
 
Despite the loss, the Pilots (0-1) kept the pressure up on every set and forced the Islanders to battle for the win. Portland finished with an 11-7 advantage in blocks and made 85 digs on the night. Lindburg had 16 kills and 16 digs while Liger contributed 12 kills and 17 digs. 
 
Lindburg led the way for the Pilots in the first set recording five kills, while fellow sophomore Brittney Markwith added four kills of her own. Portland stayed with A&M-CC through the beginning of the set, but the Islanders were able to pull away late for the win.
 
After falling behind early in the second set, the Pilots pulled together rallied late before falling just two points shy the Islanders. Liger, Lindburg, and Markwith all notched four kills on the set while the team made four total blocks.
 
The third set was a back-and-forth battle between the two sides before Portland ultimately prevailed. Liger notched four kills, while Lindburg and freshman outside hitter Maddy Mandon added three a-piece. Defensively, senior libero Katie Mardesich added 10 digs to help keep the Pilots ahead.
 
The Islanders were barely able to outlast the Pilots in the fourth set as the two teams battled to the last point after being tied 23-23. It was Lindburg once again who would lead the Pilots with four kills and seven digs.
 
The Pilots next take on the Wildcats of Abilene Christian on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. (Pacific) before facing off against host Baylor at 5 p.m. (Pacific) later that day.