Nov. 24, 2002

Box Score

Top-seeded George Mason University defeated third-seeded James Madison in five games (30-18, 24-30, 23-30, 30-27, 15-10) to capture its sixth Colonial Athletic Association women's volleyball championship.

It was Mason's first championship since winning five in a row from 1992 to 1996. They were the only CAA team to defeat JMU on its home court this season. George Mason will take its 22-7 record into the 64-team field in the NCAA Tournament, which will be announced December 1 at 9 p.m. James Madison finishes its season at 21-10.

CAA Player of the Year Aline Pereira (Sao Paolo, Brazil) was named Tournament MVP after recording a double-double in the championship match with 22 kills and 11 digs. In the semifinals on Saturday she had 35 kills in four games and hit .435 against the Towson Tigers.

Freshman Natalia Porosa (Scarborough, Ont.) also had a double-double for the Patriots with 10 kills and 12 digs. CAA Setter of the Year member Jesica Umansky (Buenos Aires, Argentina) had 40 assists.

Junior Dana Jones (Fredericksburg, Va.) led JMU with 20 kills. Senior Larissa Winkler (Darlington, Pa.) had 13 kills and 12 digs. Senior Jess Evers (Charlottesville, Va.) also had a double-double with 10 kills and 18 digs.

George Mason took charge of game one from the start, opening a 4-0 lead. They quickly built their lead to 10-4 and then 16-8. JMU could get no closer than eight after that as the Patriots eventually won 30-18. Pereira had game-high honors with five kills on nine attempts. The Patriots outhit the Dukes .385 to .167 and had seven blocks.

James Madison built three-point leads twice in game two only to see the Patriots climb back and tie the score. Mason took its first lead at 19-17. After a JMU timeout, the Dukes got a sideout and then Krysta Cannon (Cedar Park, Texas) followed with a nine-point serving run to put the Dukes up 27-19. GMU managed to close it to 29-24 but the Dukes put it away on a kill by Evers from Cannon, who finished with 50 assists in the match. Jones and Pereira each had four kills. JMU recorded eight blocks while Mason had none.

George Mason took an early 5-2 lead in the third frame, but it would be their last lead of the game. JMU responded with a seven-point swing to go up 9-5. George Mason closed to 17-16 before the Dukes poured on another run. With Jones at serve, the Dukes upped the lead to 21-16, prompting a GMU timeout. The Dukes raised the lead to 23-16 out of the timeout. The Patriots got to within 25-22 but JMU put the game away 30-23. Jones had six kills for JMU while Fuchs had five. JMU outhit the Patriots .452 to .139.

Game four was a close affair throughout. James Madison twice built three-point leads, only to see the Patriots battle back each time. Trailing 15-14, the Patriots went on a four point run and claimed a lead they would not relinquish. George Mason went up 25-21 and then 28-22. JMU got within two, but GMU went on to win 30-27. Both teams struggled to finish their shots as the Dukes narrowly outhit the Patriots .024 to .000.

James Madison appeared to gain momentum in the final game with a 6-2 start. However, a George Mason timeout helped turn the tide and sparked a 10-2 Mason run. JMU could not muster a comeback as the Patriots won 15-10.

All-Tournament: Liz Goubeaux (Towson), April Nick (Hofstra), Dana Jones (JMU), Larissa Winkler (JMU), Natalia Porosa (GMU), Jesica Umansky (GMU)
MVP: Aline Pereira (GMU)