NEWBERG --- The George Fox volleyball team fell in a hard fought five-set match against Puget Sound at home on Saturday night. The Loggers won by set scores of 25-16, 20-25, 25-21, 21-25, 15-8.

Recap

Puget Sound (8-9, 3-2 NWC) took the first set without much trouble as the Loggers were quickly ahead and George Fox (4-11, 1-5 NWC) was unable to win one of its own serves until UPS led 18-11.

The Bruins came roaring back in the second set to show that they would not go down easily. Paige O'Rear rallied the team on her serves, fueling a 5-0 run that put GFU ahead for good. O'Rear had three kills and a pair of aces in the set.

The Loggers regained control in the third set with a 25-21 win to go back ahead 2-1 in the match.

George Fox battled all the way through the fourth set, wrestling back point-for-point with the Loggers. The Bruins managed to bear down and win six of the final eight serves to take the set 25-21 to force a fifth set.

The Bruins looked to be in good position to win in the final set, leading 7-6 before allowing five unanswered points to fall 15-8 and lose the match.

Top Performers

Laney Search had a career evening in the loss, setting a new personal best with 47 assists in the narrow loss. O'Rear continued her season-long heroic efforts, leading the team with 15 kills to go along with a pair of aces in the match. Ashtyn Butler added 14 kills and Bailey LeBreton and Liv Alexander had 11 kills each. LeBreton had five blocks in the contest.

What it Means

The Bruins currently sit in eighth place in the NWC as they fall to 1-5 in conference play and 4-11 overall.

What Happens Next

The Bruins will visit top-ranked Whitworth on Friday to take on the Pirates in another NWC matchup.