TACOMA, Wash. — Baylee Johnson was dialed in on Friday night, smashing 18 kills as the Pacific Lutheran University volleyball team shrugged off a slow start to defeat Northwest Conference rival George Fox University 3-1 (11-25, 25-20, 25-20, 25-17) inside Olson Gymnasium. 

The visiting Bruins (7-7, 4-3 NWC) came out of the gate swinging, scoring eight of the match's 10 points and cruised to the 25-11 set win. The Lutes (9-7, 4-4 NWC) responded in the second set, conceding the opening point but scoring five of the next six and leading the rest of the way to take the second set 25-20.

Pacific Lutheran tallied four of the first five points in the third but the Bruins battled back, enjoying an 11-9 lead. Five straight points put PLU up 21-15 later in the set and a Hailey Iha kill produced a 25-20 set win for the home side.

George Fox led 7-4 in the fourth but the Lutes ripped off the next six points, including three kills from Johnson to take the lead. PLU played with the lead the rest of the set, scoring six of the final seven points, including a match-clinching kill from Johnson for the 25-17 set win to take the match in four.

"What a comeback after having our troubles in the first set," said Head Coach Kevin Aoki. 

"Credit our team for sticking together and staying the course. It was great to play at home again and we're looking forward to playing the Whits in eastern Washington next weekend."

Johnson was deadly efficient, finishing with a .361 attack percentage and netting 18 kills. Elle Thomas had 15 kills with a .294 attack percentage while Breeze Bartle and Claire Hindman both had six kills. Olivia Evaro had 42 of the Lutes' 47 assists while Bartle had four blocks and Halle Hetzler had 27 digs.

The Lutes are back in action next Friday, heading across the Cascades to face Whitworth University in Spokane.