NEWBERG, Ore – After dropping the first two sets to Pacific Union, the George Fox women's volleyball team did something they hadn't done since 2008: win the final three sets and emerge victorious in a five-setter, 3-2.

How It Happened
The Bruins used yesterday's close loss as fuel to start the first set. They came out as a strong unit; Addison Goff got a kill for the first point of the game which was quickly followed by a service ace from Arianna Mathern and a few more strategic kills to make the score 5-0. George Fox held their lead against Pacific Union who couldn't seem to catch up to our Lady Bruins. Kills from Jordan Hahn and Addison Goff along with a service ace from Jenna Knibbs helped in creating distance in the score and forcing the Pioneers to take a timeout, 12-6. Pacific Union came back out ready to fight, going on a run as the Bruins tried to retaliate. It was a battle on both sides of the net, but Pacific Union ultimately came out on top, 24-26. 

The second set was very similar to the first: Fox began swinging, starting with two consecutive kills from Lexi Baer and a service ace from Mikaila Kronholm. After racking up more points, the score was quickly 7-1. As the game progressed, the Bruins kept attacking, but the Pioneers were making a quiet comeback. Pacific Union was able to tie the game and use that as energy to take the lead for their own and win the second set, 22-25, leaving the overall score at 0-2. 

While the Bruins came out with energy in the two sets before, in the third set they came out with a new fire, ready to fight back. While in the beginning it was a back and forth between both teams, it wasn't until a kill from Jordan Hahn that started a Bruin run, advancing the lead to 15-4. The Pioneers tried to make another sneaky comeback, but Fox was ready and didn't let up until they took the set with a service ace from Allaire Gilder, 25-13. 

George Fox didn't give up that fire as they headed into the fourth set. This time, they were met with more resistance from the Pioneers, who only let the Bruins get to 3-0 before they struck. The Lady Bruins were unfazed however, and continued to play their game. With a block by Baer and kills made by Hahn, Gilder, and Gracie Bearden, it was smooth sailing for George Fox as they took the set, 25-16, and ended with an ultimate score of 2-2. 

The fifth set began with the audience on the edge of their seats as the players put all their focus on the court and the ball. After each team earned a point, George Fox decided to amp up the intensity as they went on a run, 10-1. From then on, the Bruins played with confidence as they smashed the ball past Pioneer defense. Pacific Union put up a few points of their own, but with a final kill from Bearden, the Bruins took the fifth set, 15-8, and the game, 3-2, to complete the historic comeback. The last time Fox had rallied from a 2-0 deficit to win? September 26, 2008, in a game against Whitworth.

Top Performers
Hahn led the Lady Bruins in kills with a career-high 15, with Baer and Goff following close behind, each with 13 and 11 kills respectively. Kronholm was the team's lead setter having a total of 33 assists. Gilder and Bearden each had three aces, while Gilder also had six blocks. 

What It Means
George Fox's overall record is now 3-3 in the young season. The Pacific Union Pioneers now have a record of 0-5.

What Happens Next
George Fox will stay home at Wheeler Sports Center to face off against Willamette on Friday, September 12th at 7:00 pm.