SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Hannah Troutman posted a double-double, including a team-best 16 kills, to help lead Portland to a 3-1 victory against Santa Clara volleyball Thursday in West Coast Conference action.

Reghan Pukis had 12 kills and Katie Sullivan equaled that total on a match-best .444 hitting percentage for the Pilots (12-10, 5-5) who snapped a two-match losing streak by overcoming late deficits in both the second and fourth sets.

After the Broncos (12-11, 3-8) won the opening set 25-21, the Pilots captured the final three – 26-24, 25-20, 26-24.

Nikki Hess posted a team-best 19 kills and a career-high 20 digs for the Broncos who were held to a .093 hitting percentage. Callie Jones also had a double-double with 32 assists and 12 digs.

Leading 23-18 in the second set, Santa Clara was on the brink of taking a 2-0 advantage, but the Pilots reeled off five straight points before the Broncos made it 24-23 on a service error. Portland staved off set point with a kill from Brittney Markwith. Troutman, who also had 16 digs, followed with a kill and an attack error by Santa Clara evened the match at one set apiece.

The third set was knotted at 17-all, but the Pilots scored five straight points and closed it out with Cali Thompson assisting on the final three kills – two by Sullivan and the final one by Pukis.

Santa Clara had a chance to send the match to a fifth set after a Sabrina Clayton kill increased its lead to 23-20 in the fourth, but a kill by Pukis was followed by two attack errors. Portland had a chance to close it out leading 24-23 when a service error gave the Broncos new life. However, Thompson set up both Markwith and Sarah Savoca for the final two kills of the match after the set was tied for the eighth time (24-24).

The Broncos did overcome a deficit to win the first set.

After trailing 20-17, Santa Clara tied it at 20-all on a Hess kill and two Portland attack errors. Two kills from Hailey Lindberg snapped a 21-all tie and the Broncos closed it out on a Clayton kill.

The Pilots registered a .172 hitting percentage in the match, including .302 in the third set.

Junior setter Kirsten Mead had 11 assists in a limited role for the Broncos. She missed 14 matches between Sept. 9 and Oct. 15, returning last week for two road matches.

Santa Clara faces Gonzaga at 1 p.m. Saturday in Leavey Center.

SATURDAY PROMOTIONS

Halloween Spike-tacular: Wear your best Halloween costume to be entered into a raffle! Trick-or-treaters can get candy at the marketing table.

Bronco Kids Packet Pickup: Bronco Kids Members can pick up their t-shirt, drawstring bag, lanyard and membership card at the marketing table.

Postgame Autographs (Poster Giveaway Part 2): Approximately 10 minutes after the match, join the volleyball team on the court to receive the part 2 of our 4 part 2016 Santa Clara Volleyball schedule poster and player autographs! 

MORE INFO

Tickets: Season or single-game tickets are available. Click here to purchase online or contact the ticket office weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. at (408) 554-4660 or BroncoTickets@scu.edu. Group discounts are also available through our ticket office sales and service consultants. Doors to the Leavey Center, as well as its ticket office, are open one hour prior to the start of the match. 

Parking: For weekday matches, the Leavey Center lot, located on Accolti Way off El Camino Real, is free beginning one hour prior to first serve. Any other parking facility on campus will be subject to normal daily rates or restrictions, including the main structure, located adjacent to Stevens Stadium on Palm Drive. During the weekend, campus parking facilities are free (except for permit required locations). Click here for a campus map and parking restrictions.