STOCKTON, Calif. – University of the Pacific women's volleyball team (4-13, 0-5 WCC) dropped a straight-set conference contest against Portland (10-3, 3-1 WCC) in the home opener on Thursday evening at the Alex G. Spanos Center.
Nicole Zake paced Pacific throughout the three-set affair, totaling 11 kills, seven digs, and tying
Ellie Prindl with three block assists.
Vanessa Zussino also guided the Tigers offensively, compiling eight kills on 18 attempts for a .278 hitting percentage.
Alessia Couchond continued her streak of double-digit assists, extending it to 17 straight, as she recorded 17. She also nearly recorded a double-double with a team-best nine digs.
Trailing early in the first set, 9-8, Pacific scored five of the following six points to jump ahead at 13-10. Holding onto its three-point advantage, Zussino recorded a service ace to give the team a 15-12 edge later on. Portland, however, answered and posted a 9-2 scoring run to regain the lead and push it to four, 21-17. Despite trading points down the stretch, the Pilots held on and secured an early lead in the match with a 25-22 opening-set victory.
The Tigers gained an early advantage in the second set, erasing a two-point deficit to take the lead at 11-9. The Tigers recorded four straight points as Zussino totaled two of her three service aces during the run. The Pilots responded for the second straight frame, regained the lead, and jumped ahead 24-19. Facing set point,
Adeline Sirbu recorded a kill, and Zake added back-to-back service aces to get the Tigers to within two, 24-22. Portland finished off the second-set win with a kill to take a two-set advantage in the contest.
Portland controlled the pace of play in the third set, pushing its lead to 18-11 midway through the frame. Pacific responded late, getting to within 24-21 before the Pilots recorded the final point to earn the match win.
Pacific returns to the Alex G. Spanos Center at noon on Saturday, Oct. 10, when it hosts Seattle U.
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