SPOKANE, Wash. --- Despite Katie Sullivan's match leading 16 kills, the Portland Pilots fell to the Gonzaga Bulldogs 3-0 on Saturday afternoon at the Martin Centre.

Gonzaga (13-9, 4-5 WCC) topped Portland (11-10, 1-8 WCC) with set scores of 25-20, 25-23, and 26-24.

A kill by Brittney Markwith sent the Pilots on a three point run early in the first to take the lead 4-2. Another Portland three point run tied the set up at 10, but the Bulldogs responded with a run of their own taking a four point lead at 14-10. The Pilots could not close the gap as Gonzaga went on to claim the first set. Middle blockers Markwith and Sullivan led the team offensively during the set combining for seven kills.

Sullivan proved strong at the net once again with a solo block that gave Portland a two point lead at 6-4. The Bulldogs responded with a six point run to earn a 10-6 advantage. Portland cut the lead to one at the 14-15 scoreline and once again the Bulldogs gained the momentum and jumped ahead of the Pilots by six. Djurdjina Milovic set Sullivan up for another kill that sent Portland on a three point run cutting into the home side's lead. Portland worked back to take the lead 23-22, but Gonzaga responded with a three point run to win the second set and hold a 2-0 lead heading into the break.

The third set reflected the end of the second with both sides fighting for momentum. Portland won the battle early on gaining a 12-8 lead off of another kill by Markwith. Gonzaga fought back and, thanks to some heavy hitting by Savannah Blinn, took the lead 16-15. Markwith then led the Pilots on three point run to take the lead 21-19, which was then countered with a Bulldog run that ended with Gonzaga ahead 22-21. The two sides were then point-for-point until Blinn hit two in a row to win it for the Bulldogs.

The Pilots will return home on Thursday, Oct. 29 to host the San Francisco Dons at 7:00 p.m. in the Chiles Center.