Box Score Photo Taken By: Jake Ryan
By: Ryan Lackey
NEWBERG, Ore. --- The Bruins took Pacific University to five sets on Friday night, winning the first two, but the hosting Bruins fell, 3-2, despite a stellar night from Payton Shrum and 37 kills between Danyle Dupray and Erin Sprowls.
Recap:
The Bruins looked to be in solid form in the beginning, winning the first set that went into overtime. Prefiguring the march in a larger scope, the Bruins pushed out to a comfortable 15-10 lead before Pacific dragged the score back to 25-25. The score remained knotted at 26-26, but a smashing kill from Erin Sprowls and then a hammering blow from Delaney Cruz gave the Bruins a 1-0 advantage. Fittingly, Shrum assisted on both.
In the second set, the Bruins settled in and established a wide 14-6 lead. Again, Pacific managed to claw back into the set, narrowing the deficit to 18-17. From there, though, Sprowls and Dupray took over, and with a timely kill from Erin Dellinger and a couple Pacific errors, the Bruins coasted through to a 25-18.
For the first time, in the third set, the Bruins found themselves chasing Pacific. After the Boxers leapt out to an early lead, the Bruins tied the score at 13-13. The Bruins let the score slip away on a few uncharacteristic errors, but again vigilant they came back to even things at 23-23. Two kills from Pacific's Clara Smith, though, gave Pacific hope and the set win.
The fourth set was remarkably like the third: Pacific raced out to an early lead, but this time the Bruins were largely unable to rally. The Bruins found themselves down 13-22, and though they were able to narrow the chasm to 17-23, they couldn't quite come all the way back.
With the momentum entirely with Pacific, the Bruins did well to make the fifth set a neck-and-neck affair. The score tied at 11-11, again the Bruins made two surprising errors, and a Pacific ace sealed the Boxers' comeback.
Top Performers:
Despite the loss, some Bruins individually sparkled. The always-reliable Payton Shrum had 42 assists and did well defensively, racking up 19 digs. Kelsea Meyers led the Bruins with 26 digs, and Acarey Ross chipped in 21. Dupray led the Bruins with 19 kills (a new career-high); Sprowls was close behind with 18. Delaney Cruz notched 10 kills.
What It Means
The Bruins till remain at 8th in the Northwest Conference, just behind 7th-ranked Pacific. Overall, the Bruin stand at 7-16, 4-11 in conference.
What Comes Next:
The Bruins finish their regular season tomorrow at home against Linfield at 7:00 p.m.
