The Pilots need to win today's match against San Francisco.
The preseason was a great starting point for Portland. Two years ago, with no wins, they were not in the conversation. Now, they are a threat in the conference. Still, the preseason hype will not last forever and the Pilots cannot afford to leave this weekend with a WCC record of 1-3.
In Thursday's 3-2 loss to Santa Clara, there were glimpses of brilliance. In the fourth set, the Pilots came back from behind to win the set 26-24. It was some of the best volleyball Portland fans have seen all season.
Junior Brittney Markwith led the Pilots with 13 kills on .423 hitting percentage. With 12 kills and three blocks, Makayla Lindburg played better than she has all season. Her swing is starting to look as strong as it was last season.
Emily Liger needs to step up this match. Her forgettable .053 hitting percentage against the Broncos was out of character. Where she averages 4.8 kills per set, she only managed to land seven total kills last match.
The WCC is arguably the toughest conference for volleyball behind the "power five." Portland needs to rise to this challenge.
The preseason coaches' poll ranked Portland 10th. Based on their performance thus far, I would be surprised if they ranked lower than fifth behind BYU, San Diego, Gonzaga and Santa Clara. This match needs to serve as a turning point for the Pilots to return to where they were preseason.
Here is what you need to know going into today's match:
- Anticipated Portland starting lineup: Hannah Troutman, Emily Liger, Makayla Lindburg, Brittney Markwith, Djurdjina Milovic and Morgan Robinson.
- Currently, the Pilots (WCC 1-2) sit at No. 6 in the WCC.
- San Francisco's 1-3 conference record is good for an eighth seeding in the WCC.
- San Francisco recorded their only conference win thus far against Gonzaga on Thursday. The Dons took the Bulldogs to five sets in the win.
- San Diego (3-0) remains the only undefeated team in the conference.
- Previously No. 23 Pacific has dropped out of the top 25 NCAA rankings completely.
