Box Score SPOKANE, Wash. --- The Portland Pilots concluded their 2019 season against Gonzaga at the Charlotte Y. Martin Centre. The Pilots fell to the Bulldogs in three sets, with set scores of 23-25, 13-25 and 13-25.

Senior Shayla Hoeft finished her career leading the Pilots in kills with 11, while junior Liz Reich recorded eight. Junior's Carey Williams & Kellie Hughes led Portland in digs and assists respectively, with 18 each.

Despite falling in a hard fought first set, the Pilots (11-18, WCC 3-15) earned more kills than the Bulldogs and had a higher hitting percentage: Portland earned 16 kills and hit .214%, while Gonzaga had 11 and hit .184%.

The match began as a close affair, with both squads going back and forth on the scoreboard. The Pilots held one-point leads many times, including at 12-11 thanks to one of Hoeft's 11 kills. Portland tied the first set as late as 23-23, thanks to a Bulldog attacking error. Gonzaga held on however, earning two straight kills to take the first set at 25-23.

The second set began much like the first, with neither side able to pull away. A kill from Reich gave the Pilots the lead at 6-4, while another Reich kill cut the Zags' lead to 9-7. After Reich's kill, the Bulldogs went on a 16-6 run to finish the second set on top, taking it at 25-13.
 
Riding their momentum in third set, Gonzaga begun the set on a 9-1 run, forcing an early Portland timeout. The Pilots cut their deficit to four points, as an attacking error from across the net made the Zags' lead only 12-8. The Bulldogs held on to the lead, taking the third set and the match at 25-13.   

Portland's 2019 season ends with a record of 11-18, featuring victories against Weber State (22-7) & New Mexico State (27-3). A majority of their squad will return to action in the Spring, participating in the Beach Volleyball season.