The Pilots were unable to capitalize on their home opener and lost to both LMU on October 2 and Pepperdine on October 4 in four sets.
LMU won the match with set scores of 25-19, 23-25 and 26-24.
Emily Liger led the Pilots with 21 kills during the match. Sophomore outside hitter Makayla Lindburg added 14 kills and nine digs of her own.
Freshman Sarah Savoca, outside hitter/middle blocker, added four kills and seven blocks. Savoca was the only freshman to appear in either match this weekend.
“I was a little nervous coming into it, but I knew we needed to bring it just like all the other games,” said Savoca. “We have been on the road for so long it was so awesome to see all of our fans show up to support us.”
On Saturday, after losing the first set to the Pilots, Pepperdine came from behind to win in four sets with scores of 14-25, 25-20 and 25-21.
Lindburg led the Pilots with 18 kills while Liger recorded a double-double with 15 kills and 12 digs. Portland out-blocked Pepperdine 11-6 and Savoca came out strong with six kills and five blocks.
Despite this, the Pilots were unable to keep up with the Waves’ momentum.
Head Coach Brent Crouch was proud of the team’s efforts.
“I thought the girls showed up and fought big time,” Crouch said. “They played against a really good team and had them on the ropes a little bit. I thought it was a great home opener and I think that the girls acquitted themselves very well. They definitely sent a message to everyone that we are on the rise.”
Malika Andrews is a sports reporter for The Beacon. She can be reached at andrewsm17@up.edu or on Twitter @malika_andrews.
