SAN DIEGO, Calif. – The Portland Pilots volleyball team swept CSU Bakersfield on Friday in its season-opening match at the 2018 Aztec Invitational at Peterson Gym. The Pilots won in three sets, 25-15, 25-20, and 25-12. Portland head coach Jeff Baxter earned the win in his head coaching debut as the Pilots knocked off a tough opponent that competed in the 2017 NCAA Tournament.
"I am very proud of the way our players stayed steady during the match," Baxter said. "We are looking forward to playing two more good teams tomorrow."
Baxter, who had spent the previous two years as an assistant coach for the Pilots, was promoted to head coach in January. His tenure got off to a balanced start with many key contributors on Friday.
Four Pilots (1-0) recorded at least seven kills in the match led by junior transfer Shayla Hoeft and redshirt junior Izzy Guzik with 12 apiece. Senior Reghan Pukis finished with eight, while sophomore Liz Reich added seven. Junior setter Cali Thompson excelled in the assist category with 39, while sophomore Carey Williams held the defense down with 10 digs.
The Pilots went on an 11-2 run in the first set to distance themselves early, leading 20-8. The Roadrunners (0-1) showed fight to extend the set, but were overpowered by Guzik with five first-set kills as the Pilots raced to a 25-15 margin.
The second set was back-and-forth and tightly contested from start-to-finish. Hoeft, who had three straight kills early on to keep the Pilots close, sparked Portland. The Pilots eventually turned the tide and went on an 8-2 run to break a 14-14 tie and then close out the set.
Despite the Roadrunners resilience in the first two sets, the Pilots overcame an early challenge in the third set to secure the match handily, winning 25-12. Guzik came on once more to finish strong with six kills in the third set.
The Pilots will continue action at the 2018 Aztec Invitational against Campbell University at 9 a.m. on Saturday, and then complete the tournament against host San Diego State later that night at 7 p.m.
