By: Alex Plusquellec

NEWBERG, Ore. --- The George Fox women's volleyball team had a quick turnaround Saturday as they were back in action against Whitworth, less than twenty four hours after the conclusion of their five-set match against Whitman. 

Recap:

The Bruins and Pirates battled back and forth in set one. Whitworth jumped out 3-0 early, but kills from Alyssa Burch and Ashtyn Butler kept the Bruins within striking distance. Burch and Danyle Dupray teamed up for a block to cut the Pirate lead to one, 12-11. 

From that point forward the Pirates found their groove, going on a 7-3 run to seize control of the set. Dupray's service ace brought the Bruins to within four, but the Pirates pulled away taking set one 25-17.

The Bruins found themselves in a 6-0 hole early in the second set but responded with a massive run to take the lead. Dupray, Butler and Delaney Cruz each tallied kills to power the Bruins to an 11-9 lead.

The two teams traded points as the Bruins held on to a slim advantage but the Pirates hung tough. Whitworth was able to tie the set at 16-16 and again at 20-20 before the Bruins tallied two points in a row to grab a 22-20 lead. 

With the Bruins in command needing just three points to secure the set, the Pirates put together a big run of five in a row to snatch the second set, 25-22.

Determined to extend the match the Bruins came out aggressively in the third set. Cruz got the Bruins on the board, sparking a run to give her team an early 6-4 lead. Whitworth again would not make it easy on the Bruins as neither team built a lead of more than three points throughout the set.

Whitworth found itself in the driver's seat late, rallying from a 21-19 deficit to take a 24-22 lead but a kill by Burch and an ace by Hannah Kumasaka brought the Bruins back to a tie, 24-24. 

Dupray picked up a kill to give the Bruins the advantage 25-24. Needing to win by two, the Bruins weren't able to find the final point, and the Pirates rallied to take a one point lead of their own, 26-25. Back to back kills by Dupray and Paige O'Rear gave the Bruins another one point advantage but again the Pirates responded.

Trailing 28-27, Dupray nailed her final kill of the match to tie the set at 28-28, but the Pirates again made the plays necessary to get the win as they took the third set 30-28 and the match in straight sets. 

Top Performers:

Dupray led the Bruins with 10 kills followed by Cruz with eight. Laney Search contributed seven kills and Butler added six after her career-best 15 against Whitman. Sophia Lawrence led the way with 19 digs. 

What It Means:

The Bruins fall to 3-6 overall and 2-4 in the NWC.

What Comes Next:

The Bruins hit the road to take on Pacific Lutheran next Friday, Oct. 6. The match is set to begin at 7 p.m.