MONETERY, Calif. --- The Portland Pilots Beach Volleyball team concluded their weekend at the Monterey Invitational Saturday afternoon at the Monterey Bay Sand Courts in Calif. West Coast Conference competitor Saint Mary's and No. 13 Grand Canyon overcame the Pilots in both matches to close out the tournament.
 
"Saint Mary's and Grand Canyon are two very good teams," said head coach Jeff Baxter. "We learned a lot about ourselves today, and had some weaknesses exposed. We are excited to get back in the sand and get better."
 
Senior Monica Gajda and sophomore Lauren Naatz first took on the Gaels (6-3) 5's pairs to start the day. The Pilots made a comeback to take the first win before Lindsey Calvin and Alexis Parker could tie up the score for Saint Mary's, topping Portland's 4's pair Sarah Savoca and Djurdjina Milovic. The Gaels then kept their momentum going in throughout the 3's, 2's, and 1's matches to claim the overall 4-1 victory.
 
In the last match of the day, No.13 Grand Canyon (9-3) topped the Pilots 5-0. Coming out strong, the Lopes took each duel in two sets except for the 3's match. Freshman Emma Scanlan and junior Morgan Robinson battled Jordyn Sanchez and Hannah Toune through three sets, but the two Lopes eventually took the pair.
 
The Pilots will next face the University of Washington on March 31 and April 1.
 
 
Results
Monterey Invitational
March 18, 2017
 
Portland vs. Saint Mary's (4-1)
1's: Cali Thompson/ Tani Stephens: (17-21), (12-21)
2's: Katie Barker/ Hannah Troutman: (12-21), (10-21)
3's: Emma Scanlan/ Morgan Robinson: (16-21), (10-21)
4's: Djurdjina Milovic/ Sarah Savoca: (16-21), (17-21)
5's: Monica Gajda/ Lauren Naatz: (10-21), (21-5), (15-8)
6's: (Exhibition) Brittney Markwith/ Katie Sullivan: (17-21), (11-21)
 
Portland vs. Grand Canyon (5-0)
1's: Cali Thompson/ Tani Stephens: (12-21), (11-21)
2's: Katie Barker/ Hannah Troutman: (9-21), (14-21)
3's: Emma Scanlan/ Morgan Robinson: (7-21), (21-17), (12-15)
4's: Djurdjina Milovic/ Sarah Savoca: (10-21), (13-21)
5's: Monica Gajda/ Lauren Naatz: (8-21), (11-21)
6's: (Exhibition) Brittney Markwith/ Katie Sullivan: (10-21), (16-21)