Oct. 5, 2002

FAIRFAX, Va. - Tessa Spahr had a double-double with five service aces and was one of four Flying Dutchwomen players to record more than 10 kills, as Hofstra defeated George Mason 3-1 in women's volleyball Saturday night. Game scores were 30-26, 28-30, 25-30, 26-30.

With the win, Hofstra (14-3) remains unbeaten in CAA play at 5-0, while Mason (12-4) is tagged with its first league loss and goes to 6-1. The loss also snapped an eight-match win streak for the Patriots.

Aline Pereira (Sao Paolo, Brazil) logged 32 kills, including 10 in game three, for George Mason, but the Patriots were unable to hold early leads in that game, as well as game four.

Another bright spot from Pereira was her serving, as she tallied seven aces, tying for second on the Patriots all-time single-match list. Mason finished with 12 aces on the match.

Joining Spahr as the top offensive players for Hofstra were Alessandra Pollo, who matched Spahr with 17 kills, April Nick, who had a dozen kills, and Stefanie Rewitz, who had 11. Nick also had two solo blocks, while Pollo added four block assists.

Caroline Katsikas had 12 digs for Hofstra, while Jesica Umanskey (Buenos Aires, Argentina) led the Patriots with 11. Umanskey also recorded 54 assists, while her counterpart at Hofstra, Brie Katz, had 43.

The Patriots started the match with a strong showing in game one, leading from the start. Natalia Porosa (Scarborough, Ontario) set the tone early with back-to-back service aces for the second and third points of the game.

Game two was a back-and-forth battle that featured 18 scoring ties. Mason held advantage 27-26, but Hofstra scored four of the next five points to even the match at one game apiece.

In games three and four, the Patriots surged to leads until about the midway point, and then Hofstra would tie the score and eventually close out the deal.

Mason was ahead from first serve in game three until Hofstra fought back for a 14-14 tie. The Flying Dutchwomen scored the next point and never trailed again.

In game four, Mason led until Hofstra broke a 16-16 deadlock. The Patriots were able to tie the game again 24-24 and go up 25-24, but Hofstra scored six of the next seven points for the game and the match.

George Mason continues CAA action Sunday, as it hosts Drexel at John Linn Gym at 3 p.m.