Photo Taken By: Jake Ryan

SALEM, Ore. --- The George Fox women's volleyball team used a season-high 16 team blocks to upset the league-leading Bearcats of Willamette, 3-1.

Recap:
The Bruins wasted no time against the Bearcats taking the first two sets in dramatic fashion. The opening set was almost theatrical, as both teams combined for 11 ties. Rallying back-and-forth scoring point after point. The Bearcats had the advantage at 19-11, but the Bruins slowly started to knock the door down after three huge kills from Delaney Cruz. Two service aces and three unforced errors later, the Bruins found the set within reach at 21-22. From there on out George Fox didn't allow the Bearcats to close out the set, but rather flipped the script and scored their last three points off three huge kills, taking the set, 29-27.

George Fox again found itself down in the second set, but that didn't matter, as the Bruins were in familiar territory clawing at the lead. The Bruins rallied seven-straight points late in the set to take a 23-18 lead, which was enough to secure set two, 25-19. With a sweep now in play, the Bearcats threw everything but the kitchen sink at the Bruins to keep the match alive. The lead never changed hands in the third as the Bearcats won the set to keep their hopes alive going into the fourth set.

Trailing by five points midway through the fourth set, the Bruins dug down deep to spark another comeback. With the Bearcats leading 18-13, the Bruins scored six-straight points to force Willamette to take both of its timeouts. Unfazed by the timeouts, the Bruins went on to take the set and match, 25-23.

Top Performers:
Cruz continued to pour it on for the Bruins offensively, leading the team with 18 kills, which is now a career-high for the sophomore. Cassidy Scott hit .263 with six kills and one attacking error. Payton Shrum recorded 39 assists and 16 digs on the night. Erin Dellinger was great defensively with one solo block and six block assists. The Bruins recorded 27 blocks on the night, while the Bearcats recorded 16.

What It Means:
With the win, the Bruins improve to 5-13 on the season and 2-8 in the Northwest Conference. Willamette now falls to 12-6 overall and 7-3 in the NWC. Willamette came into the match tied for the conference lead but the loss drops them to second.

What Comes Next:
The Bruins come back home to host Whitworth and Whitman next weekend on Oct. 23-24. Whitworth will be first on Friday, Oct. 23 at 7:00 p.m., followed by a match-up with Whitman on Saturday, Oct. 24 at 5:00 p.m.