PORTLAND, ORE – The Portland Pilots claimed their first conference victory of 2019, defeating the Pacific Tigers in a five-set thriller at the Chiles Center. The Pilots won with set scores of 25-23, 23-25, 25-17, 18-25, and 15-13.
"(It was) great seeing contributions from a bunch of players," said head coach Jeff Baxter. "The team really gutted that win out against a good Pacific team."
Junior Liz Reich led the match in kills with 19, along with three total blocks. Freshman Jayde Harris had 13 kills, seven digs and two service aces, while senior Shayla Hoeft had 10 kills & eight total blocks.
The first set began with the Pilots (9-7, 1-4 WCC) juggling the lead with the Tigers (10-7, 2-3 WCC). Portland would separate themselves at 7-7, going on a 5-0 run featuring two kills from Reich to make it 12-7. Pacific kept it close, tying the score as late as 23-23 with a Portland service error. A Tigers service error and one of sophomore Claire Forrest's seven kills gave the Pilots the first, the set score 25-23.
Pacific did not allow Portland to ride their momentum, grabbing an early lead in the second set at 11-8. The Pilots immediately responded with another 5-0 run to reclaim the lead at 13-11 thanks to two more kills from Reich. The second remained tight, again being tied at 23-23. This time it was the Tigers who would grab two quick points, taking the second at 25-23.
Portland refused to stay down, starting the third set with a 7-3 run that once again featured two kills from Reich. The Pilots would have their lead cut to 1, until another 5-0 Pilot run would push their lead to 14-8. Portland went on to take the third set soundly, the set score 25-17.
The Tigers, down 2-1 in sets, wouldn't go down without a fight. With the fourth set score 8-7 Portland, Pacific went on a 10-3 run to claim the lead at 17-11. Staying in front the remainder of the way, Pacific took the fourth set at 25-17.
In the fifth & final set, Pacific came out in front and would head into the midway break with the lead at 8-5. To take back the lead and effectively the match, the Pilots went on a 7-1 run featuring two blocks from Hoeft. The Tigers stayed in the set, getting as close as 14-13 Pilots. Hoeft and Reich would assure the Portland faithful went home happy, teaming up for a team block to win the match at 15-13 in the fifth.
The Pilots return to action Saturday, Oct. 12
th at the Chiles Center against Saint Mary's.
