DAYTONA BEACH, FL -- The Portland Pilots totaled 11 blocks on the way to a three-set win (29-27, 25-22, 25-14) against the Stetson Hatters Friday at Richard V Moore Gymnasium. The Pilots are 1-0 to start the 2024 seasonĀ
The Pilots offense was ledĀ by Elin Larsson, who finished with 13 kills on the day while accumulating a hitting percentage of .296. Maui Robins added 12 and Taina Kaauwai chipped in with 11 as part of balanced Portland attack. Defensively, Pilots had two players that reached double figures in digs. Tinoa Woodward-Hart had 16 while Havannah Hoeft recorded 12. From the front row, Kaauwai contributed seven blocks and Robins added five rejections.Ā
Game NotesĀ
Ā» Portland had three players in double figures in kills: Elin Larsson, Maui Robins and Taina Kaauwai.Ā
Ā» Elin Larsson had a team-high two aces in the win.Ā
Ā» Taina Kaauwai had a match-high seven blocks.Ā
Ā» The Portland front row did a great job defensively, picking up 11 blocks in the match.Ā
Ā» Elin Larsson had a match-high 13 kills for Portland.Ā
Ā» Portland got a match-high 16 digs from Tinoa Woodward-Hart.Ā
Ā» Portland attackers were helped by a match-high 38 assists from Havannah Hoeft.Ā
How It HappenedĀ
SET 1 | The Pilots took the first set 29-27 propelled by a strong showing on the attacking end. Portland put together a .405 attack percentage with 19 kills in the set victory. After the lead changed hands four times, the Pilots took control for good at 28-27 and rode that advantage to victory.Ā Portland's solid defensive performance from a front row blocked five Stetson attacks in the set.Ā
SET 2 | The Pilots maintained their momentum after winning the first set, securing a 25-22 victory in the second. The Pilots stayed close but never trailed by more than five points and gained the decisive lead at 15-14. Portland's front row had a solid defensive performance, blocking six Stetson attacks in the set.Ā
SET 3 | Portland took set three to earn the sweep. The Pilots grabbed control of the set early when the score was 4-3 and never looked back to win 25-14. Portland led by as many as 12 points at 23-11 before closing out the set collecting 17 kills along the way.Ā