The Pioneer volleyball team lost in a five-game heartbreaker 18-25, 25-14, 25-18, 21-25, 15-11 to the Puget Sound Loggers Saturday night in their final game of the season. It was a farewell to five seniors, as well as parents night for the Pioneers in a packed Pamplin Sports Center.

In game one, the Pioneers exploded out of the gate, feeding off of the momentum from the previous night's victory.  With the roaring energy of the crowd, the Pioneers downed the Loggers almost effortlessly, with thirteen kills to the Loggers' six.  But in game two, the Loggers bounced back, responding with 12 kills and an offensive attack too powerful for the Pioneer defense to convert. With the loss of game two, and the Pioneers' struggle to launch another offensive attack, the Loggers took over, winning game three 25-18. But in game four, with the crowd on their feet, faces painted orange and black, signs reading “It's like pasta and sauce”, and fellow athletes wearing the jersey number of their favorite Pioneer volleyball player, the Pioneers shocked the Loggers with a resilience that can only be a result of experience and leadership.  In a nerve-racking game of catch-up, and a relentless offensive battle, the Pioneers pulled away at 21-20 to win the fourth game. In game five, the Pioneer women battled the Loggers until the final point of the game, and for five senior women, the final point of their careers. The Pioneers lost game five 15-11.

The loss dropped the Pioneers down to third place in conference, allowing the Loggers sole possession of second place.  The Pioneers finished their season 16-11 overall and 11-5 in conference play.

Lewis & Clark congratulates seniors Danielle Johnson, Kelsey Clark, Melody Kayser, Kelsey Neussl, and Andrea Chase on their great Pioneer careers.