UP Vball spanks OSU @ Corvallis

Trio Leads Pilots to Victory over Oregon State in Season Opener

CORVALLIS, Ore. --- Three Pilots notched double digit kills as the Pilots opened the 2010 season with a victory over the host Oregon State Beavers, snapping a 26-match losing streak against the Beavers. Portland took three of four games (13-25, 25-22, 25-20, 25-22) Friday Night at Gill Coliseum. This marks the first time since 1989 that the Pilots have beaten the Beavers and the first time since 1988 that the Pilots were victorious in Corvallis.


After dropping the first game, the Pilots (1-0) came roaring back with the help of junior Kati Hronek and sophomores Ariel Usher and Kate Bostwick. Usher and Hronek each finished the match with 13 kills while Bostwick contributed 10 kills and nine digs.

Oregon State (0-1) hit at a .500 clip in the first game with the help of senior Jill Sawatzky and sophomore Camille Saxton, both of whom finished the match with 10 kills and Saxton added five service aces. But the Pilots’ defense clicked starting in the second game as the Beavers were held to just a .257 hitting percentage. By the third game, the Pilots defense was on fire, holding Oregon State to under .100 in each of the last two games.

Sophomore setter Madison Smith, meanwhile, enjoyed a career game by setting new personal bests in kills (7) and assists (41). Smith also tacked on seven digs. Junior middle blocker Marissa Plummer recorded five blocks (one solo, four assists). As a sophomore last season, Plummer finished the season second on the team with 96 total blocks.

The Corvallis Invitational continues tomorrow for the Pilots as they play a double header, facing Illinois State (1-0) at 10 a.m. before taking on Sacramento State at 5 p.m. (0-1). Illinois State defeated Sacramento state 3-2 in the first match of the tournament Friday afternoon.