LOS ANGELES, Calif. --- The Loyola Marymount Lions topped the Portland Pilots in three sets to win a West Coast Conference volleyball match played in Gersten Pavilion on Thursday evening. The Lions defeated the Pilots with set scores of 25-16, 25-20, and 25-23.
 
The teams came out neck-and-neck in the first set as the Pilots hung around with the help of kills from Hannah Troutman and Sarah Savoca, keeping the visitors within a point. The Lions responded and pushed the lead to five points as Savannah Slattery registered consecutive kills, making it 14-9. LMU (12-5, 3-2 WCC) would hold onto the lead from there, and Sascha Dominique sealed the set with two straight kills.
 
Troutman and Brittney Markwith opened the second set with kills as Portland (9-8, 2-3 WCC) jumped ahead 4-2. But again LMU had an answer, this time with an impressive 10-point run to surge to a 20-14 lead. Portland's Reghan Pukis then fired off three kills in a row to stop LMU's momentum, and a Troutman kill and an ace from Katie Barker kept the Pilots within reach. But the Lions ultimately took the set 25-20.
 
The Lions tried to put away the Pilots early in the third set, but the team in purple refused to go away. Down 8-5, the Pilots were able to climb within a point after a kill from Pukis capped a Portland comeback. LMU then re-claimed a three-point lead, but Portland remained in the set with kills from Pukis and Troutman. Cali Thompson, Pukis and Markwith then sparked a late rally as the Pilots tied the set 23-23. But LMU recovered to win the set and the match, with Sarah Sponcil claiming the clinching point.
 
Troutman hit double digits in kills to lead the Pilots, finishing the night with 12. The junior also had seven digs to come up a bit short of a double-double. Pukis chipped in with seven kills, and Thompson dished out 22 assists.
 
LMU had three players in double figures for kills, with Jamie Lea connecting on a match-high 13.
 
The Pilots return to action on Saturday at 1 p.m. against the Pepperdine Waves in Malibu, Calif.