IRVINE, Calif. -- The Portland Pilots grabbed an early two-set lead but couldn't hold on and lost in five sets (25-18, 25-23, 18-25, 16-25, 12-15) to the UC Irvine Anteaters on the third day of UCI/adidas Invitational. The non-conference loss moved Portland to 5-1 on the season, marking the second time in three years that the Pilots begun with this record.

The Pilots were led by a double-double from Maui Robins, who registered 12 kills and a 18 digs on the day. Taina Kaauwai also added 11 kills to help the attack. On the defensive end, Tinoa Woodward-Hart contributed with 19 digs while Kaauwai chipped in with five blocks. 

Game Notes 

» Portland had three players in double figures in kills: Maui Robins (12), Lucia Busso (11) and Taina Kaauwai (11).  

» Portland had five players in double figures in digs: Tinoa Woodward-Hart (19), Maui Robins (18), Amiyah Eason (15), Havannah Hoeft (10) and Larkin Chock (10). 

» Tinoa Woodward-Hart and Maui Robins each had a match-high two aces in the loss. 

» Maui Robins registered a double-double with 12 kills and 18 digs, marking her third double-double of the season.  

» Maui Robins had a team-high 12 kills for Portland. 

» Portland got a match-high 19 digs from Tinoa Woodward-Hart. 

» Tinoa Woodward-Hart and Maui Robins both matched their season-high in digs, recording 19 and 18, respectively. 

» Portland attackers were helped by a team-high 43 assists from Havannah Hoeft. 

How It Happened 

SET 1 | The Pilots grabbed the lead in the first set at 2-1 and never trailed to win 25-18. Portland led by as many as seven points at 22-15 before finishing off the set, collecting 16 kills. 

SET 2 | Portland maintained their momentum from the first set, securing a 25-23 win in set two. The Pilots persevered in a back-and-forth set to win in a set that featured three lead changes and was tied 10 times. Neither team led by more than three points along the way. 

SET 3 | The Pilots lost a hard-fought set 25-18, as UC Irvine gained an early lead in a set that was tied three times before the Anteaters pulled ahead. 

SET 4 | Portland then dropped their second straight set 25-16 to bring the match level at two sets apiece. The Pilots trailed and were unable to recover in a set that was tied up five times before the Anteaters took over. 

SET 5 | Portland took an early 2-0 set lead but dropped the next three, losing the match. The Pilots fell behind from the first point and, despite staying within two points, never regained the lead before the Anteaters pulled ahead at 13. 

The Pilots will return home to host Seattle University on Thursday, Sept. 12 at 5 p.m. in Chiles Center. For more coverage and info, visit PortlandPilots.com. 

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