PARKLAND, Wash. – The University of Puget Sound volleyball team saw its 10-match winning streak come to an end on Friday with a 3-0 (25-11, 25-23, 25-21) loss to George Fox. The Loggers (26-5, 11-2) couldn't rebound after a slow start as the Bruins (10-13, 5-8) held on for the upset.
The Bruins put the pressure on early, hitting .345 in the first set. The Bruins also held the Loggers to a .000 hitting percentage in the first set. From the beginning the Bruins took control and never looked back. They built an 11-1 lead and held on for the 25-11 win.
Isabel Valentine led the efficient Bruin attack with 14 kills and a .385 hitting percentage. Stephanie Kerr also added 11 kills. For the Loggers, Natalie Monro had 10 kills to lead the squad. Brynn Blickenstaff added 7 kills for the Loggers.
The Loggers challenged the Bruins in the second set, closing a late four-point lead to 23-22. However, the Bruins pulled away for the 25-23 set victory. The Bruins once again pulled out to an early lead in the third set. However, the Loggers fought their way back to tie the game at 18-18. The Bruins responded by scoring the next four points and eventually going on to the 25-21 victory for the sweep.
Erika Greene had 23 assists and four kills for the Loggers AND Stephanie O'Connor led the squad with 11 digs. Ali Toedtemeier contributed 38 assists for the Bruins and Patti Reeves had 22 digs.
The match was played on the campus of Pacific Lutheran due to the Race and Pedagogy Conference in Memorial Fieldhouse, but the Loggers will return to their home court tomorrow for Senior Day when they host Lewis & Clark at 78 p.m.
