NEWBERG, Ore. -- The George Fox volleyball team swept Lewis & Clark in a dominant match, jumping out early and never looking back in the 3-0 win.
How it Happened
The first set saw an incredible early performance by the Bruins. Freshman
Eden Cha drew first blood and set the tone early for the team with a kill. A dig by Bruin
Madelyn Gunn set up
Audrey Schmitt for the next kill and paved the way for a four-point run. With George Fox up 4-0, the River Otters went to turn the score with a kill, but this would be their only kill in the first set.
Bruin attacks put them on a three-point run, a four-point run, a three-point run, and a blazing eight-point run, consistently saving potential kills from Lewis & Clark in the process. Cha recorded six of the kills while Schmitt and
Hannah Huffman each made a kill in those runs. Senior
Gracie Bearden, fresh off of the game-winning kill on Senior Day the Saturday prior, made four kills, including the last one of the set, which gave the Bruins a 25-7 victory. Cha was especially impressive in the first set, recording an incredible seven kills on just seven attempts in the set.
The second set started with another Bruin attack, with Gunn hitting two aces off the rip to give Fox the early lead. However, Lewis & Clark was determined not to let the Bruins run away in the second set. The two teams went back-and-forth, the Bruins just staying a point or two ahead until a breakthrough run of four pressed the advantage for Fox.
Isabella Avila recorded an ace, and Bearden,
Jordan Hahn, and
Addison Goff led the way with three kills in the run to put the set at 11-6.
Back-and-forth battles emerged once again with the River Otters slowly gaining on the Bruin women, but Huffman put an end to the River Otter momentum with a tactical kill straight into blocking defenders. Cha seized the moment and went on an unbroken, back-to-back-to-back ace streak, followed by another kill by Huffman and a sneaky dump from setter
Kendall Stidham, giving George Fox a six-point run and a substantial lead of 23-16.
Goff made the last two kills of the set with rockets straight into Lewis & Clark's blockers, giving the Bruins the momentum they needed for the third and final set after staying up 25-17.
The third and final set saw an even closer match, but the Lady Bruins once again struck hard and fast. With Fox up 8-5, Cha paved the way for another six-point run featuring kills by Bearden and Goff to bring the score to 13-5. The River Otters rallied with a four-point run and continued to march down the Bruin lead.Â
At 21-18, George Fox was looking to end the game swiftly against the resilient energy of Lewis & Clark. An attack error gave the Bruins the advantage; Head coach Emily called on sophomore
Bridget Philipsen to handle the serving duties with three points left, and she made the most of her second-ever appearance for GFU. After Hahn and Goff pushed the game to match point with one kill apiece, Phillipsen lofted a ball to the back right corner of the court for her first career ace, giving Fox the 25-18 third-set victory and sending the Bruin bench into hysterics.
Top Performances
Eden Cha stuffed the stat sheet in one of her best career games; in just three sets, the freshman recorded 14 kills, 22 digs, and four aces throughout the match.
Isabella Avila also found four aces in the match alongside eight digs.
Gracie Bearden totaled eight kills while
Addison Goff and
Audrey Schmitt each had six kills.
Kendall Stidham was also an influential part of the game with 18 assists.
What it Means
The Bruins improve their record to 7-15 ( 5-10 NWC), while Lewis & Clark falls to 4-18 (1-14 NWC).
What Happens Next
Though GFU has been eliminated from NWC Tournament contention, the George Fox women's volleyball has a chance to wrap up their season on a three-game win streak. Their final game against Pacific in Forest Grove is scheduled for November 7, 2026, at 7 pm.
