MORAGA, Calif. --- The Portland Pilots fought hard in three sets with the Saint Marys Gaels at the McKeon Pavilion on Thursday night. The Gales won the match, with set scores of 25-20, 25-21 and 27-25.

Junior Liz Reich continued to provide the offense for the Pilots, notching 11 kills. Senior Shayla Hoeft had nine kills and four block assists, while junior Carey Williams led the match in digs with 23.

As a team, Portland (11-12, WCC 3-9) was only outscored by the Gaels (9-14, WCC 5-8) by 11 points, never letting the Gaels off easy. Both teams had 37 kills each, with the Pilots continuing their service excellence with nine aces behind the stripe.

The match began as a battle, with Hoeft grabbing her first kill at 11-11 to tie the first set. Saint Mary's countered with a 6-1 run, forcing a Portland timeout and taking the lead at 18-14. The Pilots began building a trend: they would rally late, keeping themselves in the match. A 4-1 run cut Portland's deficit to 24-20, but the Pilots hopes were floundered by a kill from SMC redshirt senior Aubrey Pitts, allowing the Gaels to take the first set at 25-20.

Saint Mary's used their momentum to begin the second set, opening the second with a 12-4 run. Not to be outdone, Portland climbed back into the set with a 15-6 run, featuring four team service aces and three kills from Hoeft. Saint Mary's took a timeout with the lead at 23-21, collect themselves and go on to take the second set at 25-21.
 
Once again, both squads continued to battle early, with Reich providing three early kills to take the lead in the third set at 5-3. The Gaels grabbed the lead back, holding it most of the way. Down 23-17, Portland went on an 7-1 run to tie the third set at 24-24, capitalized by of one senior Katie Barker's four kills. The Gaels refused to stay down, earning the sweep off a kill from Pitts to take the third set at 27-25.

The Portland Pilots returns to action Saturday, Nov. 9^th against the Pacific Tigers in Stockton, Calif.