PORTLAND, Ore. -- Lewis & Clark answered back after losing the opening set to take a 2-1 advantage in the match before Puget Sound won the last two narrowly to defeat the Pioneers 25-22, 19-25, 16-25, 25-22, 15-12. The outcome makes both teams 4-2 in the Northwest Conference and forms a three-way tie for second place behind undefeated Willamette.

In the loss, freshman Julia Somers knocked down 19 kills for the third time in her young career, matching her career-best. Maeleen Hopeau added 11 more, and Ali Carleton was near double digits with nine.

Puget Sound was led by 13 kills from Shawna Smith, as the visiting Loggers ended ahead of Lewis & Clark in hitting percentage .142-.103. Smith led the way with a .258 percentage herself.

Lewis & Clark senior Emily Drake was tops for the match in assists with 25, while teammate Mikayla Lopez passed 19 assists. Kayla Thaller finished with 20 to lead UPS.

Alexe Navarro, who on Wednesday became Lewis & Clark's all-time career digs leader with 1,230 over her career, posted 27 against the Loggers. Lopez had 18 and Somers had 11 to help the Pioneers. Rachael Garrison was one of four Loggers players with double-digit digs, adding 21.

It was the first back-to-back losses for the Pioneers in the NWC schedule as well as in non-tournament games this season.

The Pioneers return to the court on Friday at Whitman to start the final weekend of the opening half of the conference schedule.

Other Northwest Conference Scores - Saturday

Pacific 3, Whitman 2
Linfield 3, Whitworth 1
Pacific Lutheran 3, George Fox 1