PULLMAN, WA -- Taina Kaauwai reached career-high 16 kills with a .500 attack percentage, but the Portland Pilots fell 2-3 (17-25, 24-26, 25-17, 25-23, 13-15) to the Washington State Cougars on the road at Bohler Gym. The loss dropped Portland's record to 8-5 overall and 1-2 in WCC action. 

The Pilots offense was paced by Kaauwai, who finished with a career-high 16 kills on the day while accumulating a hitting percentage of .500. Lucia Busso added 13 and Elin Larsson chipped in with 11 as part of balanced Portland attack. Defensively, Portland had three players reach double figures in digs, including Maui Robins with 15, 14 from Tinoa Woodward-Hart, and 13 more from Amiyah Eason. From the front row, Nevaeh Bray contributed a match-high five blocks. 

Game Notes 
» Portland had three players in double figures in kills: Taina Kaauwai (16), Lucia Busso (13) and Elin Larsson (11). 
» Portland had three players in double figures in digs: Maui Robins (15), Tinoa Woodward-Hart (14) and Amiyah Eason (13). 
» Taina Kaauwai was efficient in attacking situations in the match, accumulating a team-high 16 kills while hitting .500. 
» Portland got a match-high five blocks from Nevaeh Bray.
» Maui Robins had a team-high one ace and 15 digs in the loss. 
» Portland attackers were helped by a team-high 42 assists from Havannah Hoeft. 

How It Happened 

SET 1 | The Pilots found themselves in an early deficit, dropping a tough first set 25-17. Portland continued to trail before the Cougars took control. 

SET 2 | Portland dropped set two 26-24, digging a 2-0 hole in the match. The Pilots dropped a close second set, losing in a set that was tied four times and had three lead changes. 

SET 3 | After falling in sets one and two, Portland rallied to win the third set and make it a 2-1 match. The Pilots won the set 25-17 powered by a strong showing on the attacking side. Portland put together a .469 attack percentage with 18 kills in the set win. The Pilots ended on a strong note, stretching their lead to its largest point in the set to finish out. 

SET 4 | Portland continued their comeback, winning the fourth set 25-23 to bring the match level at two sets apiece. The Pilots took control of the set at 3-2 and never looked back. Portland led by as many as six points at 11-5 before closing out the set. 

SET 5 | Portland came back to even it at 2-2 before falling 15-13 in the final set. The Pilots played a close fifth set but couldn't pull off the victory. Portland was in it until the end of the set, holding the lead at 13-13 before Washington State rallied to grab a win in the set. 

The Pilots will head to Spokane, WA. to face the Gonzaga Bulldogs next on Saturday, Oct. 5, at 12 p.m. 

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