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WARNER PACIFIC 3, GEORGE FOX 1: Bruins Drop '10 Home Opener to Knights
NEWBERG, Ore. – In a closely-contested match that was decided in four sets by a total of only 10 points, the visiting Warner Pacific College Knights edged the George Fox University Bruins 3-1 (26-24, 25-21, 24-26, 27-25) in the Bruins’ season opener Wednesday night here at the Wheeler Sports Center’s Miller Gym.
The Bruins out-hit the Knights .124 to .102 and recorded seven team blocks to five for the visitors, but a significant difference in service errors (the Bruins made 15 to only eight for the Knights) proved to be costly for the home team.
George Fox twice built five-point leads of 14-9 and 15-10 in the first set on kills by Carley Johnson and Eliza Pledger, but Warner rallied with a 7-1 run to go ahead 17-16 on a block by Melita Elliot and Michelle Egan. The set remained tight the rest of the way, with the Bruins taking a 24-23 lead on a Cassie Irwin kill, but the Knights stayed alive after two Bruin attack errors, and Samantha Kolakowski spiked one to win it for Warner.
The Knights led the second set from start to finish, building their widest margin at 21-15 on another kill by Kolakowski. George Fox twice closed within three thereafter before the Knights scored the final point on a Bruin service error, their 11th in the first two sets.
In the third set, the Bruins jumped out to a 10-3 lead on a winner by Isabel Valentine, and built the lead to 10 points at 15-5 on a kill by Johnson. The Knights went on a 15-5 run of their own, however, to knot the set 20-20 on a kill by Elliot, and then took the lead on a Bruin attack error. Emily Damschen’s winner made it 24-23 Knights, but the Bruins staved off match point with a kill by Pledger. A Warner attack error and a smash by Valentine then secured the win for the Bruins.
The Bruins again constructed a big early lead in the fourth set, going up 8-3 on a kill by Valentine. The Bruins remained in front until late in the game when the Knights fought back for a 20-20 tie on yet another Kolakowski kill. Leading 24-23, the Bruins appeared to have evened the match when Pledger put down an overpass, but she was called for being over the net and the set continued. A Loren Hernandez winner gave Warner a 25-24 lead, but a Knights’ attack error evened it again. A winner by Elliot and another Bruin offensive error enabled the Knights to take the game and escape with the match.
Pledger was the only Bruin in double figures in kills with 13 and also hit .333. Ali Toedtemeier passed out 26 assists and Danielle Boyd had 10. Betsy Wilhelm led the George Fox defense with 24 digs, while Patti Reeves had 19, Kristin Knaupp 15, Toedtemeier 12, and Johnson 10. Valentine was in on five blocks.
Kolakowski led the Knights with 17 kills and 24 digs, while Elliot handed out 29 assists. Whitney Valenta added 23 digs and Elliot 22 as Warner held a 107-103 advantage in that category. Egan contributed to three blocks.
George Fox (0-1) next plays in the Northwest Conference Invitational Sept. 4-5, co-hosting it with Lewis & Clark College where all games in the tournament will be played. The Bruins will meet Northwest University at 11:00 a.m. and Evergreen State College at 8:00 p.m. Saturday, then take on Whittier College at 10:00 a.m. and Walla Walla University at 3:00 p.m. Sunday.
Warner Pacific (2-3) hosts Southern Oregon University Thursday at 7:00 p.m. in a Cascade Collegiate Conference contest.
