PORTLAND, Ore. -- Portland had four players reached double figures in kills, but the Pilots fell in five sets (27-25, 23-25, 25-23, 19-25, 7-15) to the Gonzaga Bulldogs Saturday at home at Chiles Center. The loss dropped Portland's record to 11-13 overall and 6-7 in WCC play.
Offensively, Elin Larsson led the Pilots with 16 kills while hitting .308. Busso also pitched in 15 kills while Kaauwai contributed 10 kills with a .588 hitting percentage. Maui Robins recorded her seventh double-double of the season with 12 kills and 11 days on the day. Havannah Hoeft supported the offense with season-high 49 assists. On the defensive end, Tinoa Woodward-Hart had a match-high 24 digs to go with match-high five blocks from Kaauwai.
Game Notes
» Portland had four players reach double figures in kills: Elin Larsson (16), Lucia Busso (15), Maui Robins (12), and Taina Kaauwai (10).
» Kaauwai was dominant on both sides of the ball, posting 10 kills on a .588 hitting percentage and a career-high five service aces to lead all players.
» Robins notched her seventh double-double of the season with 12 kills and 11 digs.
» The Pilots never trailed in the third set, closing it out 25-23 to seal the win.
» Libero Tinoa Woodward-Hart anchored the defense with a match-high 24 digs.
» Setter Havannah Hoeft directed the offense with a match-high 49 assists.
How It Happened
SET 1 | The Pilots took the first set 27-25 helped by a strong showing on the attacking side. Portland put together a .341 attack percentage with 21 kills in the set victory. After the lead changed hands six times, the Pilots took control for good at 26-25 and rode that advantage to victory.
SET 2 | Portland then lost set two 25-23, evening the match at a set apiece. The Pilots lost the second set despite a strong performance on the attacking end. Portland put together a .324 attack percentage with 12 kills in the set loss.
SET 3 | Portland then got back on the winning track, emerging victorious in set three and taking a two sets to one lead in the match. The Pilots scored first and never trailed in the set to secure a 25-23 victory. Portland opened up as much as an eight point lead at 23-15 before finishing off the set. Portland offense also got a boost from three aces in the set.
SET 4 | Portland couldn't finish off a four-set win as the Bulldogs forced a fifth set with a 25-19 victory. The Pilots trailed by as many as six points as Gonzaga grabbed the advantage for good at 12-11 and Portland wasn't able to recover in a set that was tied up two times before the Bulldogs took over.
SET 5 | Portland and Gonzaga went back and forth all game, trading wins in the first three sets until the Bulldogs took sets four and five, including winning the fifth set 15-7, and the match. The Pilots fell behind early on and fought from behind the rest of the way.
Up Next
The Pilots hit the road to face Seattle U on Thursday, Nov. 13, at 6 p.m. in Seattle, Wash. Portland then returns to the Chiles Center for their Senior Game on Saturday, Nov. 15, hosting San Diego at 1 p.m. Both matches will be streamed live on ESPN+, with live stats available at PortlandPilots.com.
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