PORTLAND, ORE – The Portland Pilots Volleyball Team defeated the Gonzaga Bulldogs in their first sweep of conference play, taking the match in three sets Saturday at the Chiles Center. They won with set scores of 25-22, 25-20, and 25-19.

"That was a nice way to end the first half of conference play," said head coach Jeff Baxter. "The team has been been putting in great work the last few weeks. It's nice seeing things we are workig on show up in matches."
 
Junior Liz Reich led the match in kills with 15, along with two digs. Junior Kellie Hughes had 37 assists and six assists, while junior Carey Williams had 23 digs.
 
The first set began with the Pilots (11-9, 3-6 WCC) grabbing an early lead over the Zags (6-15, 0-9 WCC) at 6-4 from kills by senior Katie Barker and junior Kassidy Naone. Portland would remain in front late, until a Zags rally seemingly tied the score at 22-22. A coach's challenge from the Pilots had the point reversed, resulting in Portland taking the first set at 25-22.
 
The Bulldogs would continue to battle with the Pilots, once again keeping things close early. Portland would find separation down 5-4, going on a 4-0 run to take the lead at 8-5. The Pilots struggled to find separation late, until a 10-4 run would push them out front and claim the second set at 25-18.
 
Portland rode their momentum to an 8-2 run to start the third set, featuring four kills from Reich. The Zags would close the gap, making the score 13-8, only for the Pilots to push their lead to 18-9. Portland remained in front the rest of the way, taking the third and final set at 25-19.
 
The Pilots return to action next week on Thursday, Oct. 31 at the Chiles Center against Loyola Marymount.