George Fox University - L'Ami Yearbook (Newberg, OR)

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But the game was set for 2:00. It had to go on . We prepped in the weight room. Coach Hilton ran over the plays we would use. Then our time came. We marched solemnly out to the field and warmed up for the bat- tle. By this time the field had become a well-developed swamp, and we knew that we were going to have it harder than we had an- ticipated. In the first quarter, the East scored a touchdown and a run-in conversion to take a lead of 8 to 0. But we held them until the half. During halftime, Coach Hilton pumped us full of energy, and we raced back on the field determined to score. But the East got another touchdown and another run-in con- version. The score was 16 to 0. We couldn ' t believe it. All the confidence we ' d had was gone. Then, suddenly, we scored on a run back from their kickoff. We couldn ' t get the extra points, but we could feel the game edging our direction. On a long push, we scored again and clos- ed in on the East with a score of 14 to 16. We were still behind, but we knew we had a chance. The rain and wind picked up, and the cold started to slow down both teams. With one minute left and just a few yards between us and the goal line, the chance to score was now or never. We made the push and came within a yard of the line. Just one more drive! The whole West side exploded in cheers as we dove in to win the game. Many said it was the best game they had seen all year. The teams thanked each other, and all the hard work had paid off. We walked away with the trophy. Then I hurried back to Penn- ington Hall for a hot shower and a seat in front of a roaring fire. Kris Croly — 15 —

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EAST MEETS WEST by Kris Croly I had always wondered why a bunch of girls, or guys for that mat- ter, would get together to roll around in the mud chasing after an odd shaped leather object. In the big leagues they do it for money. Even some college students do it for money in the form of scholarships. But I just couldn ' t picture myself get- ting all muddy, risking injury, just to have a little fun. When I arrived at George Fox College, I had visions of sugar plums dancing through my head, not mud raisins. Funny how one day I found myself out on the track field fumbling to catch a little pigskin . I have yet to figure out how they bribed me onto the field, but there I was with 22 other girls, all with wonder-filled eyes, as Coach Allen Hilton explain- ed our strategy. It made no sense to me. Coach Hilton tried repeatedly to convince us that the West was strong and had not only the brawn but the brains to back it up. The daily practices to strengthen our bodies quickly transformed them into steel, or so we liked to think. Each practice Coach Hilton and his assistant coaches, Ben Hickenlooper and Neil Hall, taught us new plays and formations. By the time our last practice came, we knew that a miracle had been performed during our week of training. We were now a lean, mean, fighting machine, ready to take on anything or anyone. Saturday arrived and greeted the excited powder puff players with a gray drizzle. I began to have doubts. This was not the glorious weather I had seen most of the pros play in.

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VOLLEYBALL NEWS by Monica Whitham After last year ' s championship season, this year ' s record of 9 wins and 16 losses was discouraging. But by all indications, we can expect a more impressive showing from next year ' s lady Bruin volleyball team. One of the major factors in this year ' s losing record was the lack of experienced players on the team, especially the lack of experienced setters. (A setter is the player who sets the ball up, trying to put it in good position for the inners who will attempt to spike it over the net.) Out of a 14 member squad, only five players were returnees from last year ' s championship team. The death of Debbie Larson, one of last year ' s star players, also had a deep psychological effect on the team, especially on those who had known her. But according to Luanne Bagley, co-captain of this year ' s team (Melody Groeneveld was the other co-captain) , next year promises to be better. All of those inexperienced players will no longer be rookies, and Coach Steve Grant is working hard to recruit a good setter. Also, next year ' s squad will be reduced to 12 women, giving everyone more op- portunity to play. A look at this year ' s record shows just how important experience is and how much we have to look forward to next year. Eight of the team ' s nine wins came in the second half of the season . At the end of the season, the team voted senior Luanne Bagley the most inspirational player, sophomore Diane Walter the most valuable, and freshman Mary Erbele the most improved. Monica Whitham