MALIBU, Calif. --- The Portland Pilots lost in four sets at the McKeon Pavilion on Saturday afternoon, losing a competitive match against the Saint Mary's Gaels. Despite every set coming down to the wire, the Pilots would fall to the Gaels with set scores of 20-25, 23-25, 25-20, and 22-25.

Junior Liz Reich had 16 kills to lead the Pilots, while senior Shayla Hoeft and freshman Jayde Harris had 11 and 10 kills respectively. Junior Kellie Hughes had 48 assists and five digs, while junior Carey Williams had 19 digs.

The first set began with both teams battling for the lead, as Pepperdine (7-8, 3-1 WCC) battled the Pilots (8-6, 0-3 WCC) for momentum early. Down 6-7, a 3-0 Pilot run with a kill from senior Katie Barker would give Portland the lead at 9-7. The Waves continued to compete, never allowing the Pilots to separate themselves. With the score tied at 22-22, two kills from Pepperdine junior Shannon Scully would secure the first set for the Waves, the set score 25-23

Riding their momentum, the Waves would go on a 6-1 run to start the second set. Portland would not sit the set however, tying it at 10-10 thanks to three kills from Reich. The set would remain tight, with the score getting tied as late as 19-19 thanks to another 3-0 Portland run. However, Scully would once again get clutch, grabbing three late kills to take the second set for the Waves at 25-22.

Down 0-2 in sets, Portland would open on a 11-5 run that featured a 5-0 Pilot run. Harris and sophomore Claire Forrest were key to taking the set, with both Pilots notching four kills in the third. Portland would go on to take the third set soundly at 25-20.

Pepperdine would not allow Portland to ride their wave, starting the fourth set on a 10-4 run. They would continue their hot streak till the end, taking the fourth and final set at 25-14.

Portland finishes their first WCC road trip of the year in Los Angeles, taking on LMU at noon at the Gersten Pavilion.