PORTLAND, Ore. - The Lewis & Clark volleyball team gave the Puget Sound Loggers a battle on Saturday night in the Pamplin Sports Center but were unable to come out on top falling 2-3 (15-25, 25-23, 25-18, 22-25, 9-15). 

The loss drops the Pioneers to 7-6 on the season and 1-3 in Northwest Conference, while the Loggers move to 4-9 (3-1 NWC). 

Isabel Valentine and Brigitte Russo both ended the night with a match-high 16 kills, while Kataleya Milan picked up 12. Emily Drake and Vanessa Hall were just as busy, earning 26 and 21 assists respectively. Alexe Navarro picked up a match-high 24  digs, while Russo pulled up 14, Milan 13 and Erin Winstead 12. Valentine led the Pioneers at net defensively as well, knocking down a team-high three blocks. Ali Carleton and Tessa Belanger each knocked down two. 

Emily Convery led Puget Sound with 12 kills, whle teammate Shawna Smith ended the night wtih 11 and Heather Sangster finished with 10. Convery led all players with nine blocks. 

Puget Sound came out guns blazing in the opening set never allowing the Pioneers to find their rhythm. The second set was a different story. After capturing a strong 6-2 advantage, things began to fall apart for the Loggers. Lewis & Clark found a way to unsettle their opponent and tie the contest at 17-17 on a Milan kill. It was all Pioneers after that point with the team capturing the lead on the next attack courtesy of a Valentine kill and never let it go. 

With the match tied at 1-1, the third set was a back and forth fight with the two sides trading points. With a slim one point, 19-18, advantage the Pioneers kicked it into gear closing out the set on a 6-0 run. 

The fourth set was much like the third with neither team having a clear advantage over the other. However this time things ended in the Loggers favor. Feeding off the energy of the fourth set that tied the match once again, the Loggers quickly worked their way through the deciding set for the match victory. 

The Pioneers return to the court on Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m .when they host George Fox for more NWC action.