Box Score MORAGA, Calif -- The Portland Pilots created some solid runs, but in the end Saint Mary's defended their home court in a West Coast Conference volleyball match at University Credit Union Pavilion on Wednesday. The Gaels won the match by a 3-0 margin  with set scores of 25-21, 25-21, and 25-19.

Freshman Mia Wesley led the Pilots in kills with 12 on the day, setter Kellie Hughes finished with a match-high 19 assists, and senior Carey Williams provided 20 digs for Portland's defense.

The Pilots (1-9, 1-9 WCC) found themselves down by two to begin the first frame, but two kills from Jayde Harris and another from Jiana Lawson handed Portland its first lead over the Gaels (4-6, 4-6 WCC) at 6-5. Saint Mary's soon went back in front after a 5-0 run and built a three-point margin between the two teams. Another SMC run extended the Gaels' lead to as many as six, but an attack from Claire Forrest and a Wesley ace closed the gap to 17-14. A block from Lawson and Nevaeh Bray kept the Pilots close late in the game, and the Gaels would need three chances at set point before securing the first set.

Set two stayed evenly matched as both sides traded points early on, but Saint Mary's eventually found the set's first two-point lead at 11-9. After going ahead by three shortly after, attacks from Liz Reich and Wesley kept Portland in the game. The Gaels largest lead of the set came at 20-13, which Reich answered with a kill and a block assisted by Forrest. Moments later, back-to-back blocks from Lawson and Forrest brought the Pilots even closer, and a Lawson score would have Portland only down by one 22-21. Saint Mary's would finish on a 3-0 run to close out the second frame.

The Gaels jumped ahead again to begin set three, but the Pilots produced a 6-0 run midway through to overtake a two-point lead with kills from Lawson, Harris and Bray, as well as an ace served up from Wesley. With the score tied 16-16, a four-point swing for the Gaels would carry them through the rest of the set to seal the match.

"Today just was not our day," said head coach Megan Burton. "But we came out with good energy and the right mindset to win. This squad continues to grind it out. Every match in the WCC is a tough match and we are only a few plays, a few points away from having a very different record. This team never quits, they have heart and drive; we just need to clean up our side of the net with passing and offense. We will continue to learn and get better, we are very close."

The Pilots will return home for a short break before traveling south again for two matches with Santa Clara on Mar. 5 and 6. Both of those games are set to begin at 2 p.m.