Nov. 1, 2003

Box Score

FAIRFAX, VA--George Mason University's women's volleyball team (12-11, 8-3 CAA) defeated Virginia Commonwealth (9-18, 2-8) in four games at the John Linn Gymnasium Saturday evening (25-30, 31-29, 33-31, 30-18) for Mason's sixth-straight Colonial Athletic Association win at home this season.

Senior outside hitter Aline Pereira (Sao Paolo, Brazil) had a stellar night for the Patriots as she pounded 35 kills from 83 swings and nine errors for a .313 hitting percentage and added a season-high 20 digs for her 12th double-double of the 2003 campaign. The 35 kills marks Pereira's fourth time this year that she has drilled 30 or more kills. Sophomore outside hitter Natalia Porosa (Scarborough, Ontario) registered her seventh double-double of the season with 18 kills and 10 digs, while Niki Bernardes (So.; King George, VA) notched a career-high and match-best 24 digs for the Patriots. Setter Marie Skelton (Jr.; Curtin, ACT, Australia) also set a career high in assists as she paced Mason's offense with a match-high 60 assists.

Senior outside hitter Laura Connell tallied team-highs for the Rams in kills and digs with 17 and 19, respectively, while freshman outside hitter Rachel Ross amassed a team second-best 18 digs. Senior middle blocker Karyn Engel nailed 11 digs from 23 attempts and no errors for a .478 hitting percentage, while senior middle blocker Meghan Boyle added 10 kills for VCU, along with a team-best four total blocks.

On the night, Mason drilled 70 kills off 192 total attacks and 23 errors for a .245 hitting percentage, while VCU collected 59 kills from 176 total attacks and 26 errors to hit .188.

The Patriots will return to action on Nov. 8 against Towson for Mason's final home regular season match with first serve at 7 p.m. Pereira and senior Milena Racic (Pozarevac, Yugoslavia) will be honored prior to the start of the match for senior day.