PORTLAND, Ore. --- The Portland Pilots lost in four sets to the San Francisco Dons at the Chiles Center this Saturday afternoon. The Pilots fell with set scores of 17-25, 25-19, 20-25 and 20-25.

Senior Shayla Hoeft led the match with 17 kills, while junior Liz Reich provided 15. Junior Kellie Hughes & Freshman Noelani Helm each had 15-plus assists, while junior Carey Williams led the match in digs with 25.

The match was the last home match of seniors Hoeft, Emma Scanlan and Katie Barker's careers. All three will be graduating from The Bluff, with expected graduation dates for the Spring/Summer semesters. 

Hoeft came up clutch in the second set for the Pilots (11-15, WCC 3-12) to even the match in set scores at 1-1: she had five kills and two block assists as the Pilots controlled the net with six team blocks in the set.

The first set began with both teams battling for the lead, as Portland and San Francisco (7-19, WCC 3-12) struggled to separate from each other. The Pilots took the lead at 14-12, thanks to an attacking error from the Dons. USF responded with a 8-1 run, taking back the lead at 20-15 and going on to take the first set at 25-17.

Portland recovered quickly, opening the second set with a 9-4 run that featured two blocks and a kill from Hoeft and forcing an early Dons timeout. San Francisco tied the set at 13-13, only for the Pilots to answer with a 7-1 run to shut down their rally. Portland would close the second on a 4-1 run that had a kill and two blocks from senior Katie Barker, taking the second set at 25-19.

As the pivotal third set begun, San Francisco struck first with a 6-3 run to take the lead. Portland answered to take the lead at 10-9 thanks to a service error across the net. USF retook and remained in the lead, and despite a late kill from Reich to make the score 23-19 Dons', San Francisco took the third set at 25-20.

The fourth set begun much like the others, as the Dons took an early lead, only for the Pilots to tie it at 10-10. Portland kept the set close throughout, getting as close as 20-19 USF thanks to another late kill from Reich. San Francisco held on, taking the fourth set and the match at 25-20.

Portland heads back on the road for a trio of matches, their last three of the 2019 season. They'll compete against WCC powerhouses BYU & San Diego on Nov. 21^st and Nov. 23^rd, respectively, before finishing their season in Spokane against Gonzaga on Nov. 25^th.