By Sara Elcano, Assistant Athletics Communications Director

NEWBERG, ORE. -- The Willamette University volleyball team won in straight sets over George Fox University, 25-22, 25-17 and 25-20, on Saturday, Sept. 18 in Northwest Conference play. Willamette improved to .500 in the NWC at 1-1, while upping its record to 5-6 overall. The Bruins dropped to 0-2 in the NWC and to 5-6 on the season.

Willamette recorded 38 kills and served up seven aces in the victory. The Bruins were held to just 26 kills and a .019 hitting percentage.

The Bearcats trailed early in the first set but clawed their way back to grab their first lead at 11-10. WU went on to take a 25-22 victory in the set, while holding GFU to a .000 hitting percentage.

The second set was more of the same for Willamette, as the Bearcats fell behind in the early moments. WU took control near the middle of the set and never looked back, winning 25-17. Willamette hit .273 as a team in the second set.

Kellie Menghini (LIB, Jr., Anchorage, AK/South Anchorage HS), Emily Compton (S, So., Portola, CA/Boise State Univ.) and Annika Moffett (Jr., OPP, Portland, OR/Lincoln HS) each served at least one ace in the final set. Willamette cruised to a 25-20 victory and won the match.

Senior Molly Blankenship (OH, Spokane, WA/Spokane Falls CC) of Willamette led all players with 12 kills. Danica Reed (OH, So., Arvada, CO/Arvada HS) added 10 kills and eight digs. Compton earned 32 assists in addition to her two aces.

George Fox received seven kills and eight digs from Amanda White. Ali Toedtemeier dished out 23 assists for the Bruins.

Willamette will host the Pacific University Boxers on Friday, Sept. 24 in Cone Field House. Play will begin at 7 p.m. (PDT).

The Boxers are 1-9 overall and 0-2 in the NWC. They enter the match against Willamette on an eight match losing streak. Willamette and Pacific split a pair of matches in 2009, with Willamette winning the most recent head-to-head match, 3-0 (25-13, 25-17, 25-16), on Oct. 24, 2009.