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OREM, Utah --- The Portland Pilots lost to the Utah Valley Wolverines in five sets in the final match of the La Quinta Inn and Suites Invitational. Portland was led by senior Emily Liger who recorded a team and match high 18 kills.
 
Lindburg recorded her third double-double of the weekend with 12 kills and 11 digs. Her performance over the weekend landed her on the All-Tournament team.
 
In a back and forth match, Utah Valley (5-9) was able to beat Portland (5-6) with set scores of 18-25, 25-11, 25-21, 19-25, and 13-15.
 
Utah Valley used an early run to go ahead of the Pilots and take the first set 25-18. Portland pulled within three points of the Wolverines late in the set after going down 10-3 to start the game. With the score at 16-13 Utah Valley gained momentum and separated themselves from the Pilots, and went on to claim the set. Liger led Portland with three kills on the set.
 
Portland rallied back in the second set to win it 25-11. The Pilots took advantage of multiple Wolverine errors in the beginning of the set and then kills by freshman Sarah Savoca, freshman Maddy Mandon, and Liger put Portland ahead 7-3. Multiple Pilots contributed points as Portland then went on an 11-4 run to gain the lead at 18-7. Liger earned three of the Pilots last six points and Mandon had a kill to get Portland to 25. The Pilots were led by Liger who had six kills on the set.
 
Portland continued the comeback by winning the third set 25-21. A kill by sophomore Makayla Lindburg began an 11-1 run in the beginning of the set to give the Pilots the 11-2 lead. After a kill by sophomore Mele Moimoi to put the score at 20-12, Utah Valley earned six of the next nine points to bring the score to 23-18. The Pilots held off the late run and took the set and the 2-1 lead heading into the fourth set. Liger had a team high five kills on the set.
 
The fourth set was a point-for-point battle, but the Wolverines would win the set 25-19 and tie the match 2-2. The two sides would be tied11 times during the set. When the score was tied at 14-14, Utah Valley's Kalani Norris gave the Wolverines the lead with a kill. This gave Utah Valley momentum and they were able to pull away from the Pilots and take the set. Sophomore Katie Sullivan led the set for the Pilots with three kills.
 
The fifth set was no different from the fourth as both teams battled for the lead. It was Utah Valley that was able to reach 15 first. Lindburg had a pair of kills to make the score 11-10 in favor of the Pilots. But the back and forth set ended in favor of the home team as the Wolverines went on to claim the fifth set and match.
 
The Pilots will begin conference play next week when they are at San Diego on Thursday, Sept. 25 at 7:00 p.m. and BYU on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 12:00 p.m. (Pacific).