By: Alex Plusquellec

TACOMA, Wash. --- The George Fox women's volleyball team traveled to Tacoma, Washington, Friday to battle the Pacific Lutheran Lutes in a Northwest Conference showdown.

Recap:

The Bruins were sharp to begin the first set, grabbing a 3-1 lead behind back to back kills by Danyle Dupray. Pacific Lutheran made an early statement of its own, rallying to take a 7-5 lead. Delaney Cruz helped square the set at 7-7 with her first kill of the night before the two squads grappled for control over the remainder of the set. 

Trailing 20-19, Ashtyn Butler's kill brought the Bruins back to a tie with the Lutes. Tied 23-23, the Lutes were able to close out the first set with back to back kills and outlast the Bruins 25-23.

Again the Bruins came out looking to establish control in the second set, but the Lutes found a rhythm that proved to be too much for the Bruins to handle. Pacific Lutheran rattled off a 7-0 run to take a commanding 15-6 lead over the Bruins. Trying to chase down the Lutes, Alyssa Burch and Laney Search picked up kills, but their effort wasn't enough as the Bruins fell in set two, 25-16.

With the Lutes looking to close out the match in the third set, the Bruins found themselves in good position with an early 4-3 lead. That lead wasn't sustained as the Lutes fired back with a 9-0 run to take the reins on what would be the final set. The Bruins picked up kills from Cruz, Dupray and Paige O'Rear, but weren't able to piece together a comeback as the Lutes took set three 25-13.

Top Performers:

Six Bruins recorded at least three kills with Burch leading the way with nine. Cruz added eight kills while Dupray tallied six kills and a team-high 20 digs. O'Rear, in her most active match of the season, picked up three kills.

What It Means:

The Bruins now sit at 3-7 overall and 2-5 in the NWC. 

What Comes Next:

The Bruins return home Saturday, Oct. 7, to take on the Willamette Bearcats at 5 p.m.