PORTLAND, Ore.---Sixth-ranked BYU remains undefeated in West Coast Conference action after overcoming the Pilots 3-0 in the final volleyball match to be held at the Chiles Center for the 2021 season. The Cougars claimed the match with set scores of 25-21, 25-17,  and 25-12.
 
Jayde Harris finished with a team-high 10 kills, Noelani Helm collected 11 assists, and Alyssa Muraoka registered 13 digs for the home side.
 
BYU (23-1, 13-0 WCC) jumped out to a 4-0 lead to open the match, but kills from Harris and Charity Bradley in the next couple of rallies would bring the Pilots (5-18, 2-12 WCC) back within two. A Bradley service ace found Portland only down by one at 5-4, but a 4-0 Cougars run shortly following allowed the visitors to push their advantage once again. That's when the Pilots produced three unanswered scores—including another Harris attack, a Helm-Claire Forrest block, and an ace served up by Harris—to set the score to 9-7 BYU. The Cougars sustained a two-point edge through the middle, eventually building another short run to put them in front by as many as six at 19-13. Bradley sparked some energy for the Pilots with both a score and an ace right after, and another Harris kill and Forrest solo block kept the Pilots in range at 20-17. But BYU managed to hold on to their edge, sealing the set for a 1-0 lead after the first frame.
 
The Cougars took another early lead at the start of set two, and Harris contributed the Pilots' first attack of the set at 6-3. BYU created some separation then after, but a score from Emma Swett and an ace off the hand of Forrest brought Portland within four at 11-7. The Cougars stretched their cushion with a sizeable run in the middle, defending two potential Portland comebacks after Harris and Bradley each converted back-to-back kills on separate occasions. Yet BYU would eventually prevail, carrying a 2-0 lead into set three.
 
The No. 6 Cougars found their groove in the third installment, closing out the game in order to preserve a 15-set win streak across their last five contests.
 
"Proud of this team for our fight today against a very good BYU squad," said head coach Megan Burton. "We continue to focus on our consistency in our serve and pass game. I thought we served tough putting pressure on them from the baseline."
 
"Offensively, Jayde continues to score us points and Charity stepped up as well, giving us an extra offensive boost," added Burton. "I continue to be impressed with our defensive tenacity and hustle, playing hard every single point. We have four more matches left and are excited to continue to grow together as a unit and get better every day. Let's go Pilots!"
 
The Pilots honored this year's lone senior Claire Forrest in a post-match ceremony, recognizing the outside hitter's stellar contributions both on and off the court during her three year career on the Bluff.  
 
"Today was a very special match honoring our only senior, Claire Forrest," said Burton. "Claire has done so much for our program both on and off the floor. She is a special person and will always hold a special place on the Bluff. We are grateful for her contribution to the purple and white and know this is just the start to another life adventure after graduation."
 
The Pilots will be on the road for their four remaining games this season, next headed for a matchup with the San Francisco Dons, which is set for Thursday, November 11th at 5 p.m.