Pilots Drop Nail Biter to CCSU

Portland has six match points come up empty in tough loss.

Photo courtesy: UP Athletics

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - For the first time this season the University of Portland volleyball team wasn’t celebrating after a five-game match.

The Pilots, 3-0 in five-game contests entering Friday’s match against Central Connecticut State, were dealt a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to the Blue Devils in the opening match of the Brown Invitational.

CCSU (11-3) held off the Pilots (6-5), 26-30, 30-18, 30-22, 25-30, 19-17, despite Portland having six match points in the fifth and final game.

Sophomore outside hitter Maria Clemens led three Pilots with double-doubles and finished the match with 18 kills and 10 digs.

Freshman Jessica Clemens added 13 kills and 11 digs, while senior setter Kara Pein logged 35 assists and 11 digs.

Junior middle blocker Ashley Grayson added 15 kills and a team best five block assists.

Lauren Snyder led all hitters with 20 kills for the Blue Devils, while libero Kaitlin Petrella tallied 31 digs to lead all players.

After splitting the first two games, the team’s battle back in fourth in the deciding game before CCSU pulled it out.

The Blue Devils jumped out to a 5-1 lead and seemed to have the match locked up, but the Pilots answered with a 7-3 run to tie the game as Pein and Grayson recorded a pivotal block.

Portland carried the momentum to 14-11 lead on an ace by Pein, but the Blue Devils reeled off three straight points to even it at 14-14.

The Pilots would have three more match points, but were unable to capitalize before Snyder pounded home consecutive kills to give the Blue Devils the 19-17 victory.

Portland remains at the Brown Invitational and will face Stony Brook on Saturday at 7:00 a.m. (PST). The Pilots will then face the host Bears later that day at 4:00 p.m.

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