PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Eastern Washington University volleyball team's stout defense was on full display on Thursday, Oct. 20, but Eagles would drop their first five-set match of the year with a 3-2 (21-25, 25-15, 25-22, 24-26, 14-16) defeat on the road to the Vikings in Big Sky Conference action.

The two regional rivals battled back and forth all night as the match went all the way to five sets. Portland State led 14-10, serving for match point in the fifth, but the Eagles fought off four-straight match-point opportunities to knot the frame up at 14-14.  That was where the magic would stop for EWU, as back-to-back errors would give the Vikings the final two points of the night and hand Eastern its first five-set loss of 2016.

The Eagles defense was on full display throughout the match, as they posted a season-best 103 digs. Tonight's dig total ties Eastern for the third-most by a Big Sky team in a single match this season. That effort also allowed EWU to hold its sixth opponent to below a .200 hitting percentage over the last seven matches, as Portland State managed to hit a .172 against the Eagles.

Five Eastern players collected double-digit digs on the night, as junior Megan LaFond posted a career-best 25. Junior Ashley Seiler continued her impressive all-around performance of late, as the Cheney, Washington native picked up 18 digs, while landing 14 kills, to earn her fifth double-double over the last six matches. Senior Sophie Miller followed with 17 digs, and she also handed out 25 assists to tally her seventh double-double over the last eight matches.

Sophomore Ka'iulani Ahuna paced the EWU offense with a 17-kill night. The Hawaiian native hit .244 and collected 14 digs to extend her team lead in double-doubles to nine. Ahuna was one of four Eastern players to record double-digit kills, as Seiler had 14 and sophomore Jessica Gilbert and Taylor Larsen each had 13.

"This was a very evenly-played match tonight," said head coach Michael King. "I'm proud of how we fought back throughout, but we allowed Portland State to get a head too many times tonight. You can only comeback so much. Our blocking, and the ability to transition into an attack, is getting better. Which is something I'm pleased with as we approach the second half of conference play."

Win-Loss Record: Eastern Washington falls to 10-8 on the year, while they drop to just a game above .500 in Big Sky play at 5-4. For Portland State, they move to 4-5 in league games and 12-9 overall.

What It Means: Eastern falls to 1-2 on their current four-match road trip. The Eagles will have to play for a split on the venture this Saturday, Oct. 22, at Sacramento State.

Key Stats: Eastern dominated the stat sheet on the defensive side of the ball tonight against the Vikings. EWU held a 103-82 advantage in digs and out-blocked PSU, 18-7. Tonight's 18 blocks are a season-best for Eastern Washington, as Kimberly Brinkworth led the way with 10. That defensive prowess also led the Eagles to a .262-.172 advantage in hitting percentage.

Turning Point: EWU fought off match point four times in the fifth set to tie the decisive frame up at 14-14. Eastern was unable to continue its late rally from that point, as an Eagle service error, followed by an attack error, would seal the deal for Portland State and give them the 3-2 match victory.

Top Performances: Sophomore Regan Harr led the team in assists for the first time in her career, as she handed out a career-best 31 helpers. Harr also added career-high 14 digs to pick up her third-straight double-double.

Sophomore Jessica Gilbert enjoyed her first double-digit kill match since Sept. 30, as the Modesto, California native tallied 13 kills, while hitting .296 (13-5-27) on the night.

Redshirt sophomore Taylor Larsen recorded double-digit kills in back-to-back matches for the first time in her career, as she landed 13 of her 38 swings. Larsen also hit above .300 for the fourth time in her last five matches with a .316 (13-1-38) clip.

Notables: Tonight marks the first time that Eastern has dropped a five-set match this season. They were a perfect 3-0 before tonight, and was coming off a 3-2 victory at Idaho last Saturday.

Sophomore Jessica Gilbert landed her first six swings on the night and ended the first set with a perfect 1.000 hitting percentage.

The Eagles showed resilience all night, as they battled back from a 12-4 deficit in set three before winning the frame 25-22. Eastern would again find itself doubled up on the scoreboard in the fourth set at 10-5, but the Eagles would again battle back and force extra points in the frame before falling 26-24.

Tonight's 103 digs mark a season-best for Eastern Washington. While the 18 blocks also represent a season-high.

What's Next: Eastern concludes its four-match road trip this Saturday, Oct. 20, at Sacramento State. First serve from The City of Trees is set for 7 p.m. PST.

For more information on the Eastern Washington volleyball team follow @EWUVolleyball on Twitter or like EWU Volleyball on Facebook.