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TOLEDO, Ohio --- The Portland Pilots swept the Youngstown State Penguins in the second match of the Rocket Invitational. It took only three sets for the Pilots to claim their first win of the season at the John F. Savage Arena on the University of Toledo campus. Portland was led by senior Emily Liger who had 15 kills during the match.

Portland (1-1) beat Youngstown State (0-2) with set scores of 25-19, 25-20, and 25-21.

There was even play early on before Youngstown State used a four point run to move ahead of the Pilots 9-4. Liger had four kills from the left side to keep Portland within striking distance of the Penguins through the middle of the set as the Pilots closed the gap to one at 12-13. Portland pulled ahead of Youngstown State, and a heads up defensive play by Morgan Robinson gave the Pilots their largest lead of the game at 20-17. Portland maintained control and a kill by Maddy Mandon and then a pair of Penguin errors gave the Pilots the first set win 25-19. Liger led Portland offensively recording six kills during the game.

Portland had the early advantage, but Youngstown State closed the gap to tie the second set at 10. Then, a service ace by Monica Gajda and then two kills in a row by Hannah Troutman courtesy of setter Djurdjina Milovic once again put the Pilots on top. A Milovic service ace capped off a three point run which set the score in Portland's favor 21-16. Brittney Markwith killed the slide cross court to give the Pilots the second set win 25-20. Both Troutman and Liger had six kills during the second game.

Katie Sullivan roofed the Youngstown State attacker to earn the Pilots the first point of the set, but the lead would trade back and forth early on. Troutman drilled a kill down to tie the set up at 8 and send Portland on a four point run to jump ahead of the Penguins 11-8. Youngstown State held within reach of the Pilots, but the momentum was in Portland's favor at the 20-17 score line. Another block from Sullivan set Portland up for match point, and after Youngstown State held off two match points the Pilots were able to get to 25 and claim their first win of the season.

The Pilots have a busy week coming up with four matches on the schedule. The Pilots will head to downtown Portland on Wednesday (Sept. 2) to take on crosstown rival Portland State at 7 p.m. before hosting Nevada, Grand Canyon, and UC Riverside in the Portland Classic on Friday (Sept. 4) and Saturday (Sept. 5).