NEWBERG, Ore. -- Facing four George Fox match points, the Pacific volleyball team rallied to win the third set and then led late in the fourth.

But the Boxers could not complete the comeback, falling 3-1 Saturday night in a Northwest Conference road test.

After George Fox won the first set 25-18, Pacific jumped out to a 9-1 lead in the second. But the Bruins battled back to tie the set at 11-11 and then took a 13-12 lead. Trailing 24-20, the Boxers won three straight points before ultimately falling 25-23. 

Down 24-19 in the third, Pacific went on a 6-0 run to take its first lead of the set, 25-24. After George Fox tied the Boxers 25-25, Pacific sophomore Emma Velchek followed a kill with an ace to secure the 27-25 win.

The Boxers led 19-14 in the fourth set before George Fox responded with an 8-1 run to take a 22-20 advantage. Three straight Mara Murphy kills put Pacific back on top, 23-22, but the Bruins answered with a 4-1 run to finish off the Boxers 26-24.

Three Pacific players had double-digit kills -- Velchek (15), Murphy (14) and Kayla Craft (11). Danica Nelson recorded 25 digs. Sophomore Rorie Frias and freshman Kayla-Jane Padayao both had 21 assists in the loss.

The Boxers have lost three matches in a row against George Fox and seven of their last eight, the last win, 3-2, coming in 2022.

Next: Pacific hosts Pacific Lutheran on Friday at 7 p.m. inside the Stoller Center.

For the latest information on Pacific Athletics, make sure to check out GoBoxers.com. You can also find the Boxers on social media at @GoBoxers on Instagram and Twitter.
 
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