PORTLAND, Ore. – University of the Pacific women's volleyball team (5-22, 1-14 WCC) defeated Portland (11-12, 4-10 WCC) 3-1 Saturday afternoon at Chiles Center.
Vanessa Zussino led Pacific throughout the match as she registered a career-best 18 kills while swinging at an efficient .371 clip. Zussino posted double-digit kills for the fifth time this season and surpassed her previous best of 15 set against Wyoming on September 19.
Along with Zussino's production,
Nicole Zake added 15 kills and six digs to help guide the Tigers offensively and defensively.
Alessia Couchond aided the Tiger attackers with 23 assists, her team-leading 23rd double-digit assist total in a match.
Gwen Hansen also posted double-digit assists with 12.
On the defensive back line,
Bella Gutierrez and
Gracie Armato combined for 28 digs, with Gutierrez leading the team with 18.
As a team, Pacific totaled 53 kills, the fourth time this season the team has recorded 50 or more kills in a match. The Tigers' .295 hitting percentage was also a season best, while the 15 attack errors are tied for third least in a single match.
With the first set tied at nine in the early stages, Pacific recorded four straight points to gain a 13-9 advantage. Two kills from Julie Porath and Armato kickstarted the run, and a solo block from
Adeline Sirbu and a Portland set error helped increase the margin.
The Tigers never relinquished the lead in the open frame and won four of the final five points to secure the 25-21 first-set victory.
Pacific remained consistent in the second set, taking a 15-9 lead following an 8-3 scoring run. Portland, however, responded with winning eight of the next 10 points to tie the set at 17. Four straight points later on put the orange and black back in control at 21-17 and then finished the frame with a 25-21 win.
After Portland bounced back with a 25-21 victory in the third set, Pacific earned the match victory in the fourth set with a 25-19 win.
Pacific returns home to begin a three-match homestand to conclude the regular season when it hosts San Francisco at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 19, at the Alex G. Spanos Center.
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Pacific Volleyball).
TICKETS:
Tickets for upcoming events can be purchased through the
PacificTigers.com tickets tab or by calling the Box Office at
209-946-2474.
