Box Score MORAGA, Calif. --- The Portland Pilots went to five sets for the third straight match in West Coast Conference play before falling to Saint Mary's Gaels Tuesday afternoon at University Credit Union Pavilion. The Gaels claimed the match with set scores of 25-19, 28-30, 21-25, 25-19, and 15-11.

Freshman Mia Wesley and sophomore Noelani Helm both registered double-doubles in the match. Wesley finished with 16 kills, the most of any Pilot, and 19 digs, while Helm provided 19 assists and 12 digs for Portland. Kellie Hughes produced a team-high 24 assists, and WCC digs leader Carey Williams collected 23 on the day.

The Pilots (1-8, 1-8 WCC) battled back after dropping the opening set to the Gaels (3-6, 3-6 WCC). Saint Mary's jumped out to 7-4 lead to begin the second, but kills from Wesley, Claire Forrest, and Jiana Lawson kept Portland in the game. An attack from Liz Reich closed the gap down to two, but the Gaels managed to extend their lead soon after to 17-13. Freshman Nevaeh Bray sparked a Portland comeback with back-to-back scores and a block assisted by Reich that tied the game at 17-17 and forced Saint Mary's to call timeout. The Pilots then took a two-point edge after two more ties and a crucial point scored by Reich. Another Reich attack preserved the cushion for the Pilots at 22-20, but Saint Mary's would level the score once more at 23s. The Gaels earned the first set point opportunity, but the Pilots rallied back and on their third chance at set point Forrest hit the dagger to close out the win for Portland.

The Pilots carried some of that momentum straight into set three by getting off to an 8-2 lead with a service ace from Grace Zilbert and back-to-back Forrest kills. Portland maintained that six-point margin well into the set after a score from Lawson and another from Reich. The lead would extend to as many as eight following an ace served up by Williams, and the Pilots would hold on even when the Gaels mounted a 5-0 run near the very end. Sophomore Jayde Harris put the final touch on a set largely controlled by the Pilots.

Wesley would get the fourth set started with three scores in a row for Portland, who went out in front 7-3 to begin the frame. Saint Mary's eventually leveled the score at 11-11 and took their first lead with the next point. A Wesley kill gave a slim edge back to the Pilots, but the Gaels found their way back to reclaim a three-point margin at 20-17 that they would use to secure the frame and level the match at 2-2 overall.

Saint Mary's went ahead 5-1 to begin the fifth set, but two scores each from Bray and Wesley kept the Pilots close enough, and Helm and Harris produced attacks right after to help bring the Pilots within one. The Gaels answered with a 4-0 run that ultimately sealed the match.

"It was another five-set battle today," said head coach Megan Burton. "We had chances to win but need to learn how to finish. We played some good volleyball today but need to continue to work on staying consistent throughout the match. We have another opportunity tomorrow to be better and play our level of volleyball."

The Pilots and the Gaels will play another match in Moraga tomorrow, starting at 2:00 p.m.