Box Score HONOLULU, HI – The Portland Pilots defeated the University of Hawai'I this Friday evening, in a thrilling match that went five sets. The Pilots won the match 3-2, winning 19-25, 25-11, 25-18, 20-25, 15-8.
 
The Pilots continued their winning streak, extending their record to 8-0, subsequently extending the Pilots best start in program history.

"The team did a great job playing steady," head coach Jeff Baxter said. "(I'm) proud of the way we battled in a great environment, against a really good team. We're looking forward to the challenge Idaho presents tomorrow."
 
Junior Shayla Hoeft, senior Reghan Pukis and sophomore Izzy Guzik each had over 15 kills. Guzik wouldn't stop there though, recording a double-double with 15 kills and 11 digs. She wasn't alone: junior Cali Thompson would also record a double-double, grabbing 50 assists and 14 digs.
 
The Pilots began the first set exchanging points with the Rainbow Wahine, both teams struggling to pull ahead. Izzy Guzik would help the Pilots keep pushing, getting four kills in the set. Despite her efforts, the Pilots were unable to hold off the Rainbow Wahine, losing the first set 19-25.
 
After losing the first set, the Pilots came out red hot, and went on multiple 3-0 runs to take the set 25-11. Shayla Hoeft came in clutch for the Pilots, grabbing five kills throughout the set to keep the momentum from shifting to far to reach.
 
Once again, both teams battled each other in the beginning, with no team grabbing hold of the lead. The Pilots would separate themselves late in the set, going on a 11-3 run to finish the set at 25-18. Hoeft once again went to work, recording five kills and two blocks to lead the Pilot resurgence.
 
The Rainbow Wahine would not go easily, opening up the fourth set with a 5-0 run and forcing the Pilots to take an early timeout. The Pilots would recover from the early blow, and remain in the fourth set despite a couple of dangerous runs by the Rainbow Wahine. Though the Pilots were never out of the set, Hawai'i would go on to win the fourth set 25-20.
 
On the verge of losing their first match of the season, the Pilots opened up the fifth set determined to win. They would jump to an 8-4 lead, and never look back, finishing the match on a 6-0 run to win the final set 15-8.
 
The Pilots will finish their weekend at the Outrigger Volleyball Challenge this Saturday, against the University of Idaho Vandals. They will play each other at 6:00 PM Pacific time, at the Stan Sheriff Center.