PORTLAND, Ore. --- The Portland Pilots were unable to shut the door on the Saint Mary's Gaels, as the Gaels force a fifth set in the Chiles Center on Thursday night and go on to win the match. The Gaels won the match with set scores of 25-22, 27-25, 17-25, 16-25, 10-15.

Senior Reghan Pukis and juniors Katie Barker and Shayla Hoeft all had 13 kills, while junior Cali Thompson had a double-double with 44 assists and 17 digs. 

The Pilots (18-8, 6-8) began the match with a 5-0 run, featuring two kills by Pukis to open the first set. The Gaels (17-7, 9-5 WCC) climbed back into the set, eventually taking back the lead twice at 11-10 and 18-17. The Pilots would remain resilient, going on a 8-0 run led by another two kills by Pukis to reclaim the lead and extend it to 24-18, going on to eventually take the first set at 25-22.

The Gaels came out in the second set on a 6-2 run, grabbing the lead and forcing Portland to take an early timeout. Both teams would battle for position, as the Pilots couldn't find a way to tie the set, while the Gaels could not breakaway from their opponent. The Pilots would once again go on a late run, tying the second set multiple times, including at 25-25 to keep their side alive. Seeking the sweep, Barker would have two kills along with a service ace by Thompson to take the second set at 27-25.

Playing like the second set hadn't ended, the Pilots opened the third set on a 3-0 run to take the early lead. Following a short exchange of points, the Gaels would go on a 13-1 run to push away from the Pilots. Despite a late rally by the Pilots, the Gaels would go on to take the third set at 25-17. 

Riding their momentum, the Gaels would strike first in the fourth set, and after another back and forth where both teams played each other even, the Gaels would go on a 13-4 run to runaway from the Pilots, taking the fourth set at 25-16.

Heading into the fifth and final set, the Gaels continued their impressive run of play by going on a 5-0 run to begin the set, forcing the Pilots to take an early timeout. Portland would continue to climb their way back, with Hoeft and sophomore Liz Reich each having two kills in the final set. The Gaels would hold onto their lead however, taking the fifth set at 15-10. 

The Pilots return to action this Saturday, hosting the Pacific Tigers (10-14, 5-8 WCC) at noon in the Chiles Center.