SPOKANE, Wash. -- The George Fox volleyball team ended their season in the NWC Tournament Semifinals with an 0-3 loss against the top-seeded Whitworth Pirates.

How It Happened
In the first set, Fox was down early to the Pirates, also ranked No. 23 in the AVCA Coaches Poll, but kills from Lexi Baer and Gracie Bearden cut a seven-point deficit to 5-8. Addison Robertson made a powerful kill in hopes to advance the score, but the Bruins struggled to keep up. Fox carried on through the game and lost energy as the score finished at 12-25.

The Bruins started out stronger in the second set with a solid kill right off the bat by Robertson. However, Fox fell behind again, falling down by 10 in the early stages. Addison Coulter had the lone bright spot of the set with a kill and a service ace back-to-back, before Taylor DeKoning had a run of two kills. Fox ultimately dropped the set, 18-25.

The last set was a slow start, with the first kill coming from DeKoning at 2-7. Bear made the next kill with only half the Pirates' score at 6-12. The Bruins were making progress bit by bit as Robertson made another kill over halfway through at 10-18. The last kill of the season was made by freshman Jordan Hahn, as Fox dropped the final set, 18-25.

Top Performances
Lexi Baer was the top hitter of the game with six kills and four digs, Gracie Bearden finished with five kills and 17 digs, while Taylor DeKoning and Allaire Gilder each had four kills in total. Addison Coulter had the most assists—11 overall — while Kennedy Kibby had nine. 

What It Means
The Bruins end with a 10-6 NWC record and 14-12 overall mark, while the Pirates advance to the NWC Championship with a 25-2 (16-0 NWC) record. Whitworth will play second-seeded Pacific Lutheran (19-7, 13-3 NWC) in the conference title game.

What Happens Next
The Bruins will be back next fall for their next exciting season, looking to build off of back-to-back 10-win seasons in conference play.