Bruins Fourth Set Comeback Falls Short In Loss to Willamette
NEWBERG, Ore. – After a strong first set, the George Fox Bruins' volleyball team lost three straight sets against the Willamette Bearcats, losing the game 3-1. 

How It Happened
The first set was Bruins all the way, starting from the very beginning of the set which featured an 11-4 run by Fox. The Bruins had a dominant .500 hit percentage in the set, and zero attacking errors in the frame. GFU led the entire set, but things were close at 15-13 before Fox went on a 10-3 run to smash the door closed on the Bearcats. Fox had 13 kills in the set, and they won, 25-15. 

The second and third sets were a stark difference in efficiency for GFU; compared to their superb numbers in the first set, they had a hit percentage of just .216 and .136 in the second and third sets respectively. They had a combined nine attack errors in the two sets, after having zero in the first. Fox had a 10-5 lead early in the second set, before slipping and eventually letting Willamette tie the game at 19 each. The Bearcats ended the second set with a 7-2, winning 25-21. The third set saw the Bearcats lead the full way through, the Bruins were in striking distance the entire time, but they couldn't tie the set after 1-1, eventually dropping it 25-21. 

The fourth featured a staggering seven service aces from the Willamette side, compared to just one for the Bruins. GFU found themselves up, 7-3, early. The Bearcats would storm back and take the lead, 12-10. The Bruins would regain the lead just three points later, looking to take momentum and force a fifth set. However, the Bearcats used a kill, two aces, and an attacking error by the Bruins to retake the lead. The Bearcats would go up 21-19, before a surge by the Bruins gave them back the lead, keeping the game alive. Fox was up, 23-22 before the Bearcats went on one final run to close out the set, 25-23, and win the game, 3-1. Handing the Bruins their second loss of the weekend after yesterday's defeat against the conference-leading Pacific Lutheran Lutes

Top Performances
Kassandra Mendenhall led the way in kills, with 15 during the contest. Kennedy Kibby led the team in assists with 29. Gracie Bearden and Mia Chas both saw extended time in the fourth set, with Bearden recording four kills. Piper Harrop led the team with 25 digs, with Mendenhall next up with 11. 

Coach's Thoughts
"Willamette played a great match tonight," Bruin head coach Emily Davis said, "We had moments of greatness, but overall we looked and felt very fatigued. Proud of our team for staying together, no matter what. Moving onto the conference tournament!"

What It Means
The Bruins fall to 15-8 (11-5 NWC), and will now be the third seed in the NWC conference tournament. Willamette improves to 14-9 (9-7 NWC). 

What Comes Next
The Bruins will play Whitworth in the Northwest Conference Championship Tournament, which will be hosted by the number one seed Pacific Lutheran Lutes. GFU will be the three seed in the four-team tournament, as they look to win their first conference championship since the Steve Grant era in 1998.