PORTLAND, Ore.---Grand Canyon managed to answer each time Portland gained an edge, and the Lopes prevailed 3-0 overall in the Pilots' third volleyball match at Viking Pavilion on Saturday afternoon. GCU sealed the game with set scores of 25-20, 25-19, and 25-19.
 
Noelani Helm and Emma Swett both finished the match with eight kills apiece, Gabby Quach provided 16 assists, and Keilani Mumolo collected 11 digs for the Portland side. Swett ended the game with a .467 hitting percentage, converting those scores on just 15 attempts.
 
The Pilots' sophomores (3-6, 0-0 WCC) started off strong after an ace from Nevaeh Bray and a kill from Jiana Lawson pushed Portland in front of GCU (8-1, 0-0 WAC) by a 3-1 margin to open the game. The Lopes rallied back to tie it at 4-4, but a 4-1 Pilots run including an attack from Helm helped Portland regain the advantage shortly after. Grand Canyon eventually came back to swing a four-point edge at 17-13, and two more scores from Jayde Harris and Helm brought the Pilots within two. The teams would trade points then after, and GCU managed to close out the set on a 3-0 run to give them the 1-0 lead heading into the second set.
 
Portland built another slight lead to begin set two, with scores coming off of touches from Harris, Swett, and Helm to hand the Pilots a 6-4 advantage early on. GCU found a way back in the set just a few moments later, but Portland kept up the pressure to even the game at both 8s and 9s, taking the lead once again on a Mumolo service ace at 10-9. That's when the Lopes produced a run through the middle of the set which be enough to carry them through the end, although the Pilots would force GCU into four set point opportunities before they were able to close out the frame.
 
The Pilots got off to a hot start again in set three, opening on a 7-4 lead which included a Harris service ace. GCU was eventually able to draw the set at 8-8, and with momentum on their side turned the score in their favor soon after. Kills from Helm and Harris looked to mount a comeback for the Pilots after bringing them within one at 16-15, but the Lopes maintained that lead until the end to secure the closing match at the PDX Classic.
 
"Wasn't our day today, but preseason is for growth and we continue to learn from each opportunity," said head coach Megan Burton. "Offensively we found our rhythm and started scoring points, but we again struggled in serve receive most of the match."
 
"This team continues to show heart through adversity," said Burton. "We are dealing with some injuries, so our goal for preseason is also to get healthy. And while we didn't get some wins this weekend, we learned a lot about how we can get better both individually and as a unit."
 
Noelani Helm was named to the PDX Classic All-Tournament Team after the end of the weekend, and was a solid all-around performer for the Pilots—totaling 11 kills, 47 assists, and 14 digs—in the team's three matches at Viking Pavilion.
 
The Pilots head up north next week to compete in their final nonconference tournament at the University of Washington, facing Fresno State on Thursday, September 16th before a matchup with the Huskies on Friday, September 17th.