PORTLAND, Ore. --- The Portland State Vikings topped the Portland Pilots 3-0 on Wednesday night in the Chiles Center to win the opening match of the Nike Invitational. The Vikings claimed three sets with scores of 25-20, 25-23, and 25-16.

After the Vikings jumped ahead to a 4-1 lead in the first set, the Pilots stormed back to level the score. From there the teams exchanged points until PSU (7-3) pushed ahead three of the Pilots. Senior Hannah Troutman disrupted Portland State's momentum with a kill just before junior Reghan Pukis hammered another two kills down PSU's line to even the score again. Moments later, the Vikings produced a run to claim a four-point lead late until Pukis and freshman Katie Barker recorded kills trying to spark a comeback. But in the final points of the set, PSU continued their strong defensive stand to prevail 25-20.

With the score tied early in the second set, Troutman collected a pair of kills to give the Pilots (7-3) a 9-7 lead. Moments later with the Pilots still leading by two, Portland State made a run to surge back in front 17-16. Freshman Liz Reich and senior Sarah Savoca then stopped PSU's momentum by combining for a block, which was followed by kills from Troutman and Reich to bring the Pilots within one. Portland then tied it at 21-21, but the Vikings were soon at match point. Wilson then produced the final point with a kill, putting the Vikings up by two sets.

The Vikings fought to take a 9-6 lead in the third set, before they before eventually leading 19-13 with the help of six kills. Troutman and Pukis put two kills together to halt the momentum, but PSU picked up where they left off after a timeout to continue to hold on to a cozy lead. Catlin Bettenay finalized the set for the Vikings with the match-clinching kill.

Pukis led the Pilots with 14 kills, while Troutman and freshman Carey Williams recorded double digit digs with 16 and 20, respectively. Sophomore Cali Troutman had 27 assists.

The Pilots will play their second match of the Nike Invitational on Friday at 5 p.m. against UTEP.