SANTA CRUZ, Calif. --- The Portland Pilots beach volleyball team competed at the Big West/WCC Challenge on Saturday, at Main Beach in Santa Cruz, Calif. The Pilots opened up the day with a 3-2 victory over the Hornets but were unable to overcome Cal State Northridge and No.6 Cal Poly later that day.

"I'm proud of the way we battled across the board today against some good competition," said head coach Jeff Baxter. "It's always exciting to have the opportunity to compete. We learned a lot about ourslelves, strengths, and some opportunities to upgrade."

In the match against Sac state, freshmen Carey Williams and Kassidy Naone (4's pair) completed a comeback win, winning the last two sets of their dual to even the team score at 1-1. The Hornets then took back the lead by winning the 3's dual before sophomore Katie Barker and senior Morgan Robinson swept their dual to again level the team scores at 2-2. Senior Tani Stephens and sophomore Cali Thompson then battled for the 3-2 win in the 1's dual, taking the first and third set with scores of 21-16 and 15-13, respectively.
 
The Pilots will next face San Jose State on Monday, in Saratoga, Calif., at 2:00 p.m.
 
Big West/WCC Challenge
March 10, 2018
Results
 
Match 1 vs Sac State (3-2)
Duals
1's Pair: Tani Stephens/ Cali Thompson - (21-16), (18-21), (15-13)
2's Pair: Katie Barker/ Morgan Robinson – (21-7), (21-13)
3's Pair: Lauren Naatz/ Sarah Savoca – (21-19), (14-21), (11-15)
4's Pair: Carey Williams/ Kassidy Naone – (18-21), (21-15), (15-11)
5's Pair Kellie Hughes/ McKenzie Schwan – (15-21), (16-21)
 
Match 2 vs CSUN (0-5)
Duals
1's Pair: Tani Stephens/ Cali Thompson - (21-13), (21-12), (11-15)
2's Pair: Katie Barker/ Morgan Robinson – (21-14), (22-24), (15-17)
3's Pair: Lauren Naatz/ Sarah Savoca – (17-21), (21-17), (9-15)
4's Pair: Carey Williams/ Kassidy Naone – (19-21), (13-21)
5's Pair Kellie Hughes/ McKenzie Schwan – (13-21), (11-21)
 
Match 3 vs #6 Cal Poly (0-5)
Duals
1's Pair: Tani Stephens/ Cali Thompson - (16-21), (11.21)
2's Pair: Katie Barker/ Morgan Robinson – (11-21), (8-21)
3's Pair: Lauren Naatz/ Sarah Savoca – (5-21), (5-21)
4's Pair: Carey Williams/ Kassidy Naone – (21-13), (14-21), (10-15)
5's Pair Kellie Hughes/ McKenzie Schwan – (13-21), (13-21)