Pilots Return to their Winning Ways with a Sweep of San Francisco
 
PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Portland Pilots won their first West Coast Conference match of the season on Thursday night, besting the San Francisco Dons in three sets at the Chiles Center on Thursday night. The Pilots swept the Dons by scores of 25-18, 25-21, 25-21.
 
The Pilots (13-4, 1-4 WCC) were in control throughout the match, recovering from a recent four-match losing streak. The Dons (8-8, 1-4) finish their weekend flying north, taking on the Gonzaga Bulldogs on Saturday.
 
Senior Reghan Pukis led the Pilots in kills with 16, while junior Katie Barker player a role in seven of Portland's 10 blocks. Sophomore Carey Williams had a few amazing digs, having 19 total, while junior Cali Thompson once again led the Pilots in assists with 30.   
 
The match began as a competitive affair, with both teams battling for the lead. The Pilots would soon find their comfort zone, going on a 9-2 run during the first set featuring a dazzling back-and-forth that would be finished by a sophomore Izzy Guzik block, giving the Pilots a 17-14 lead. The Pilots would continue to press throughout the set, eventually taking it, 25-18.
 
The Dons held the momentum to begin the second set jumping ahead 8-6, but the Pilots would go on a 4-0 run to take the lead and hold it for the majority of the set. The Dons did made it close, retaking the lead at 20-18. Answering the call, the Pilots would go on a 6-0 run, led by two Shayla Hoeft kills, and closed out the set, winning it 25-21.
 
On the verge of getting their first league victory of the season, the Pilots would take the lead early and hold on to it for the remainder of the third set. Despite the Dons tried to hang around, but the Pilots held strong and scored the final three points of the night, which included kills from Thompson and sophomore Liz Reich to seal the win.
 
The Pilots continue their weekend play against the Santa Clara Broncos this Saturday at noon.