PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Lewis & Clark Pioneers separated themselves midway through the fourth set and maintained the momentum through the decisive fifth in a 25-19, 25-27, 23-25, 25-21, 15-12 win over the Pacific Boxers on Thursday at Pamplin Sports Center.

The win, a comeback from down 2-1, keeps Lewis & Clark undefeated on the season and atop the Northwest Conference standings. The loss is the first of the season for the Boxers.

Makena Ohlmaier had a career-high 18 kills to co-lead the match and added seven blocks, five digs and two aces. Michelle McGinn hit .467 with seven kills and put up 47 assists, a career high. Ka'anelaokapu'uwai Pakaki-Pias led the match with 20 digs, while Kelsey Parker landed 11 kills on .206 hitting with a career-high 15 digs.

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Key Moments

After losing the third set to go behind 2-1 in the match, Lewis & Clark broke an 11-11 tie in the fourth set by winning nine of the next 13 points. Like they did in the first set, Ohlmaier (5) and Pakaki-Pias (6) had their highest totals of kills and digs, respectively, in the fourth set. Parker and Ohlmaier combined for three kills in the final four points of the set.

"Tonight was truly a team win," Pakaki-Pias said." We all leaned into each other and didn't let the pressure affect our game. Everyone did their jobs and fought hard every single point. We brought the energy, intensity and will to win tonight and it showed."

"Every single one of us showed up and bettered our best," Ohlmaier said. "There was not a moment that anyone let up, and we all went into today with the expectation to win. I'm so proud of this team and can't wait to see what we bring tomorrow."

Much like the entire match where any seemingly secure lead dwindled for both teams, the Pioneers took a 5-2 edge in the fifth, but the Boxers (5-1, 5-1 NWC) scored three in a row for the first of three ties in the finale. With Lewis & Clark leading 14-11, the Boxers scored two straight kills from Jordan Zweifel before a service error sealed the Pios win.

Deeper Look

• The Pioneers have started 4-0 twice in the last three seasons, and dating back to the end of last year, have won six in a row
• Prior to now, Lewis & Clark (4-0, 4-0 NWC) hadn't won four straight Northwest Conference games since 2015
• The Pios .221 hitting percentage and 15 blocks are season bests, the latter the most in a game since Lewis & Clark totaled 15 at Whitworth in Sept. 2013
• Izzy Wills had her third double-digit kills game in her debut season, landing a career-high 15 on Thursday despite her lowest hitting percentage to date (.114)
• McGinn's seven kills matches her career high, while Kate Kimbro equaled her all-time best with six kills
• Kayla Valdez played in her first match since the season opener on Mar. 4 and had five digs
• Emma Ehlers had six kills on .308 hitting with four blocks, while Kate Shimaura had two assists, an ace and five digs

Looking Ahead

The two teams meet again on Friday at Pacific.