Photo Taken By: Jake Ryan 

By: Ryan Lackey

PARKLAND, Wash. --- Although the Bruins showed flashes of brilliance in their resolute third-set win, they ultimately could not overcome the hosting Pacific Lutheran Lutes, who took the match, 3-1. Despite the loss to the Lutes, who sit in second in the Northwest Conference, the Bruins had bright spots: Danyle Dupray posted a .320 percentage, and the ever-reliable Payton Shrum recorded 27 assists. 

Recap:
The Bruins were caught a little flat-footed in the first set and quickly found themselves down 11-4. A Lutes error and a fine Cassidy Scott kill gave the Bruins some momentum, but another Lutes run extended the score to 17-8; the Bruins, despite an effort at resurgence from the Bruins, the first set went to the Lutes, 25-11.

Suddenly invigorated, the Bruins began the second set sharper, and although Pacific Lutheran held the lead throughout, the Bruins refused to allow a large Lutes lead to form. Another good kill from Scott off of a Shrum assist brought the Bruins within two, 17-15, but again the Lutes saw the set out, 25-18.

Down two sets to none, the Bruins faced a must-win third set and dug in their heels. Again, Pacific Lutheran maintained a narrow lead – at one point the Bruins trailed 17-12, but errors from the Lutes and smashing kills from Erin Sprowls and Dupray set the Bruins off on a long run that saw them take the set, 25-23. 

Having established a foothold in the match, the Bruins played their best volleyball in the fourth set, staying right with the Lutes through the early part of the set: a Scott kill knotted the score 10-10. The Bruins, though, were outlasted, and the Lutes took the set and the match.

Top Performers:
Dupray led the Bruins with 10 kills and an excellent .320 percentage. Erin Sprowls had seven and Cassidy Scott chipped in six. Amy Massingale also contributed six. Shrum led the Bruins in assists, with 27, and digs, with 18. Izzy Riina and Kelsea Meyers both had 11 digs.

What It Means:
With the loss, the Bruins' record stands at 7-14 and 4-10 in the Northwest Conference – the Bruins remain in eighth, close behind seventh-ranked Pacific.

What Comes Next:
The Bruins host Pacific next Friday with an opportunity to move up the NWC standings.