Sept. 7, 2002

CLEMSON, SC... George Mason won two of three matches over the weekend at the Clemson Big Orange Bash in Clemson, SC. George Mason defeated Jacksonville in a three-game sweep (30-23, 30-26, 30-19) on Friday, then knocked off East Carolina in four games (26-30, 30-27, 30-28, 30-26) Saturday before host Clemson handed Mason a three-game defeat (30-27, 30-23, 30-26).

Against Jacksonville, the Patriots hit .351 as a team for the match, led by senior middle blocker Amy Falk at .529 with 10 kills. Junior outside hitter Aline Pereira, who was named to the all-tournament team along with junior libero Shelbylynn McBride, paced George Mason with 22 kills and 11 digs while hitting at .487. The Patriots also were strong at the net with seven team blocks, with Falk and sophomore setter Jesica Umansky each contributing four block assists.

Umansky had a "triple-double" against East Carolina Saturday, posting 57 assists, 14 digs and setting a school record with 10 service aces (breaking the mark of nine by Amy Kunkle in 1989). Pereira again led the Patriots with 25 kills, while junior outside hitter Milena Racic had 18 kills and hit at .517.

The Patriots played well against Clemson in the final match of the tournament, but the Tigers proved to be just a bit too tough to tame. Pereira paced Mason with 22 kills and nine digs.

George Mason opens its Colonial Athletic Association season Friday as it hosts Virginia Commonwealth at the John Linn Memorial Gymnasium at 6 p.m. The Patriots also entertain conference foe William & Mary Saturday at 2 p.m.