PORTLAND—Early season struggles continued for the Idaho volleyball team Saturday morning. The Vandals dropped to 1-7 on the season with a three-set loss to Portland at the North Harbour Marriot Invitational.

The Vandals had problems from the service line for the second consecutive match. Friday night against Cal Poly, Idaho committed 17 service errors. The Vandals minimized the errors but still found themselves in double-digits with 10 errors from the service line and 17 on the attack.

Senior Katelyn Peterson led the Idaho offense. She recorded her second double-double of the season and 12th of her career, totaling 10 kills and 10 digs. Freshman Natalie Jensen posted her best performance of the season with an Idaho-best 18 assists. Jenna Ellis recorded a team-best 15 digs.

Idaho finished the morning with three more kills than the Pilots. The Vandals totaled 41 kills, the most in a three set match for Idaho this season, holding Portland to 38. Jensen and Meredith Coba fed the offense, combing for 34 of the team's 39 assists.

Portland (7-1) jumped out to an early 8-3 lead in the first set, pressuring the Vandals from the start. Emily Liger totaled six kills in the first set. She closed a 4-2 run to hand the Pilots the set, 25-22. Liger led the match with 15 kills.

A 9-0 second-set run for Portland took the wind out of Idaho's sails. The Vandals used two timeouts over the span to try and slow the Pilots. Down 16-7, Idaho chipped away with a 4-0 run to close the gap to 17-12. Portland answered with its own 4-0 run to go up 21-12 and Liger recorded the winner at 25-14.

The Silver and Gold kept fighting in the third set, overcoming a 15-9 hole with a 7-0 run midway through the set. An Idaho error followed by a Portland ace gave the lead back to Portland at 17-16. Kills from Peterson and Becca Mau pushed Idaho ahead, 18-17. A 3-0 run by the Vandals tied the match late at 23. Portland used two consecutive Idaho errors to take the set, 25-23, and gain the sweep.

The Vandals return to the Chiles Center later this afternoon to battle St. Francis at 4 p.m. PT. It will be the first meeting between Idaho and the Terriers.

For more information on Idaho Athletics, visit GoVandals.com.  Fans can also follow Idaho volleyball on Twitter, @IdahoVolleyball.