SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – An exhilarating five-set match in San Francisco leads to the Portland Pilots second WCC victory of the year, defeating the Dons on Thursday night at the Sobrato Center. The Pilots took it with set scores of 25-14, 18-25, 25-22, 16-25 and 16-14.

"That was a great team win," said head coach Jeff Baxter. "Lots of contributions from everyone, I'm very proud of this group."

The Pilots (10-8, 2-5 WCC) were led by junior Liz Reich's 17 kills and two blocks. Junior Kellie Hughes recorded her third career double-double, notching 44 assists & 11 digs, while seniors Katie Barker, Shayla Hoeft and sophomore Claire Forrest combined for 24 kills & 14 total blocks.

The Pilots came out in the first set with initial difficulties, allowing the Dons (4-14, 0-7 WCC) to gain an early lead at 7-4. Portland responded with a 15-4 run, including three kills from Reich and two aces from freshman Grace Zilbert, to grab the lead and push it too 19-11. The Pilots never looked back, finishing the first set on a 5-1 run to take it at 25-14.

Portland rode their momentum into the second set, taking an 8-4 lead thanks to two early kills from Hoeft. It was the Dons turn to reclaim the lead, going on a 13-5 run to go up 17-13, and went on to take the second set at 25-18.

The third set was tight throughout, with neither team able to separate themselves: the biggest lead in the set was when Portland was up 11-7. The Dons kept up the pressure, taking the lead at 22-21, only for the Pilots to go on a 4-0 run to take the third set at 25-22.

Refusing to go out without a fight, the Dons began the fourth set on a 9-3 run to claim the early lead. The Pilots closed the gap to 11-7, but were unable to complete the rally, falling to San Francisco in the fourth set at 25-16. 

Riding their new-found momentum, the Dons started the fifth & final set on a 10-5 run. Needing to come up clutch to secure the comeback, Portland tied the set at 13-13 after a lengthy delay to review an attacking error from USF. The Dons tied the score at 14-14, but another USF attacking error and a kill from freshman Jayde Harris would secure the victory for the Pilots, taking the final set at 16-14.

The Pilots finish their Bay Area road trip against Santa Clara, playing the Broncos this Saturday at the Leavey Center at noon.