FOREST GROVE, Ore. -- The George Fox women's volleyball team secured an exciting 3-1 win against the Pacific University Boxers on Friday, keeping them in the driver's seat for a Northwest Conference Tournament bid. 

How It Happened
The Bruins didn't start off strong in the first set, but quickly got back on their feet with a powerful first kill by Jordan Hahn and a service ace by Gracie Bearden, tying the score 3-3. The score was even for the majority of the set; Allaire Gilder got Fox ahead by a point with a kill, 9-8, but the Boxers managed to bump their way up again. For the remainder of the set, the Boxers kept a five point advantage, beating Fox in the first, 20-25.

The second set began differently, as the Bruins gained control with a run of three kills by Lexi Baer, Addison Robertson, and Gilder to put Fox ahead 6-3. Robertson was on a roll with two more kills shortly thereafter, making the score 10-5. Taylor DeKoning added to the Bruins success with another kill, and Bearden later with a kill and a service ace back-to-back. The Bruins locked in the set with a monster 25-16 win.

Fox kept their fire as they came out of the gates hot hot with two kills in a row by Robertson, as well as one by Dekoning. Gilder had her head deep in the game as she made three kills as well to give Fox a 7-5. The Bruins were always one step ahead of the Boxers—Baer slammed two kills in a row with one followed by Bearden to prevent a Pacific comeback and push the lead to 22-19. The freshman Hahn finished off the set with a kill, giving Fox a 25-22 win.

The last set began strong for Fox again—Roberston and DeKoning brought the heat right off the bat with two kills in a row as Fox and Pacific stayed neck-and-neck. A four-point run midway through the set shifted the momentum and helped guide Fox to the win ;the set ended with a kill by Gilder and a service ace by Kennedy Kibby — winning the game with the 25-19 fourth set win. 

Top Performances
Gracie Bearden was the top hitter of the game, recording a double-double with 12 kills overall and 16 digs. Lexi Baer and Jordan Hahn each had 11 kills, while Allaire Gilder finished the game with nine kills and five digs, Addison Roberston with eight kills and three digs, and Taylor DeKoning with seven kills and three digs. Piper Hilgaertner had 26 digs, Kennedy Kibby had 26 assists, and Addison Coulter with 25 assists total.

Coach's Thoughts
"Pacific played well tonight," Bruin head coach Emily Davis said, "it was definitely an offensive night for both teams. I was the most proud of our service for being so solid and giving our setters great options to choose from on the net."

What It Means
The Bruins stay over .500, sitting now at 11-9 (7-4 NWC), and the Boxers are now 8-12 (3-9 NWC)

What Happens Next
The Bruins will be in Newberg on Saturday, October 26th, playing against the Willamette Bearcats (6-13, 5-6 NWC). The game starts at 6:00 pm.