PORTLAND, Ore. --- Hosting the No. 1 team in the nation, the Portland Pilots played tough all match long, but ultimately the BYU Cougars prevailed in three sets in front of a record crowd of 2,259 fans Thursday night at the Chiles Center. The crowd nearly doubled the program's previous attendance record.
 
The Cougars (21-0, 11-0 WCC) won by scores of 25-21, 25-16, and 25-20 to stay perfect on the year.

"(I'm) very proud of the way we competed against a very good BYU team," said head coach Jeff Baxter after the match. "There was a lot to be excited about. (We're) looking forward to a great practice tomorrow and upgrading in a few areas."
 
The Pilots (16-6, 4-6 WCC) competed stride-for-stride with the top team in the country. Junior Cali Thompson continued dishing out assists, having 28 total, while sophomore Izzy Guzik led the team in kills with nine, and added five digs.
 
The match began as a close contest, with the Pilots tying the first set at 8-8 thanks to a powerful kill by junior Shayla Hoeft. Hustling on defense, the Pilots made play after play to keep themselves within the set, including a scramble that led to Guzik's third kill of the match, which cut the BYU lead to 17-13. Despite making the set competitive from start to finish, the Cougars would take it at 25-21.
 
Once again the Pilots would come out strong, at one point leading the second set at 8-7 after a kill by senior Reghan Pukis. The Cougars would rally, with four different players acquiring three kills, and would go on to take the second set at 25-16.
 
Seeking a comeback, and down to the Cougars early at 7-10, the Pilots would go on a 10-3 run to claim the lead and extend it 17-13, thanks to four of Pukis' eight kills of the match occurring during the streak. Not to be denied, the Cougars would finish the set on an 11-2 run to reclaim the lead and win the match, taking the third set at 25-20.
 
The Pilots continue their weekend at the Chiles Center this Saturday, October 27^th against the San Diego Toreros at noon.