NEWBERG, Ore. – The George Fox Volleyball team won their first set by seven points and didn't look back as they swept the Whitman Blues in Northwest Conference action.

How It Happened
After barely dropping their last game against one of the conference's best teams in their loss at UPS last week, Fox looked sharp right away in the first set against the Blues. GFU opened with a 7-2 run that set the tone for the entire set. Whitman would come back to bring the score within two points multiple times, but that would be the closest that Fox would let their NWC foes come as they closed it out, winning the first set, 25-18. 

The next set featured more drama than the first, as the Bruins found themselves down 6-2 right away. They would close the gap to an even score at nine all before the Blues responded with a run of their own to retake their lead at 15-12. The Bruins responded once again, as they ripped off a 5-2 run that featured two kills each for Emily Blagg and Kennedy Kibby. The Bruins and Blues traded points until the score was all knotted up at 20, when Fox had yet another run, winning the set on the heels of a 5-2 run. 

The Bruins went into the third set with visions of broomsticks in their heads, as a sweep was now just 25 points away. The Blues fought them tooth and nail in the frame, never letting Fox score more than three points in a row. Whitman scored on a kill to bring them within two points, 22-20, before Fox responded with their final run of the day, a run that ended with an authoritative smash from Taylor Dekoning to win the set and the game for the Bruins with a score of 25-22. 

Top Performances
Libero Piper Harrop led the way for the Bruins in digs with 17, while Kennedy Kibby chipped in with 22 assists. Addison Robertson tallied 11 kills, the most for the Bruins. 

Coach's Thoughts
"Whitman played really tough, their blocks were very disciplined," Bruin head coach Emily Davis, "I was proud of our team for battling with some adversity. Any 3-set win in our conference is something to be proud of."

What It Means
GFU improves to 6-4 on the year and 2-1 in conference play. Whitman falls to 3-7 (2-1 NWC). 

What Comes Next
The Bruins play their second game of the weekend on Saturday, September 23, at home against the Whitworth Pirates. The game is set to start at 6 pm at the Wheeler Sports Center.