NEWBERG, Ore. --- The George Fox Bruins christened the newly renovated Miller Gymnasium Saturday night with a three-set loss to the Pacific Lutheran Lutes. 

How it Happened

The Lutes made quick work of the Bruins, who fielded a makeshift lineup in their return to their home floor after a long road trip and two matches at Hadlock Student Center. The final set scores were 25-15, 25-10, 25-22. The Bruins hit just .078 in the match with 22 attack errors, compared to a .340 hitting percentage for the visitors with just eight attack errors.

The Bruins were without three starting players and three of the four coaches on staff, including head coach Emily Davis due to a combination of injuries and illness.

After struggling through two error-plagued sets, the Bruins looked to be on their way out the door after falling behind 8-2 in the third stanza. But George Fox rallied in front of the first crowd to witness an athletic event at Wheeler Sports Center in 714 days. The Bruins scored four of the next five points to get back into contention and stayed within reach to the finish. Down 23-16, Addison Robertson had two kills and two PLU attack errors got the Bruins within three. A stuff block put the Lutes at match point, but two more Robertson kills, including one through the Lute block, kept hope alive as the Bruins closed to within two. PLU ended the late rally with a McKenzie Pfeiffer kill that sneaked inside the Bruin block.

Top Performers

Kassandra Staton was George Fox's lone offensive bright spot in the first two sets and finished with a match-high 14 kills.

"I'm really proud of Kassie," said assistant coach Olivia Hanbey. "I got to play with her when I was a senior and it's an honor to be next to her on the court. She's an amazing player/athlete/friend. It's really fun being able to coach her."

Robertson did most of her work late, finishing with eight kills. Libero Sophia Lawrence had a dozen digs and one service ace. Addison Hawes made her third consecutive start for the injured Kennedy Kibby at setter and finished with 25 assists.

Coach's Thoughts

"I'm definitely proud of them for giving it all," said assistant coach Olivia Hanbey, pressed into head coaching duty Saturday night. "We've been working really hard in practice."

What it Means

The Bruins fell to 5-7 in the Northwest Conference and 9-8 overall.

What's Next

The long second-half homestand continues when the Pacific Boxers visit Miller Gymnasium Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m.