Nov. 14, 2003

Final Stats

HEMPSTEAD, NY - Senior Aline Pereira (Sao Paolo, Brazil) slammed down a school record 43 kills to lead George Mason University to a five-game (28-30, 30-27, 31-33, 31-29, 15-11) victory over Hofstra University in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) volleyball action on Friday evening at the Physical Fitness Center.

The kill total for Pereira was also a career-high, in addition to being a NCAA Division I high this season.

The win pushes George Mason's record to 13-12 overall and 9-4 in the CAA, while Hofstra slips to 12-15 and 8-5 in conference action.

Hofstra got a team-high 24 kills from sophomore Tessa Sphar (San Jose, CA), who tallied seven kills in the third game alone.

The two teams split the first two games before Hofstra won the decisive third game to take a 2-1 lead in games. The Pride looked to put the match away in the fourth game as they led 24-19 following a kill from junior Nicole Smith (Algester, Queensland, Australia). The Patriots were not to be denied though, as they scored six straight points to take a 25-24 lead, their first in the game since leading 8-7. Pereira tallied three service aces and one kill during the run. The teams battled back and forth over the next few points before a kill from junior Alessandra Pollo (Savona, Italy) tied the game at 29. George Mason would eventually tie the match at two games apiece as Pereira tallied her 13th kill of the fourth game before two straight Pride hitting error gave the Patriots the game.

The fifth and final game saw Hofstra get on the board first before George Mason scored nine of the next 13 points to open up a 9-5 advantage. The Pride quickly went on a 5-2 run to close within one, 11-10, but two straight attack errors by Hofstra gave the Patriots a commanding 13-10 lead. Fittingly, Pereira put an end to the match with kills on the final two points of game five.

Pollo fell one short of her career-high as she tallied 21 kills, while picking up a career and match-high 25 digs. The Pride placed a total of five players in double figures in kills as senior April Nick (Monarch Beach, CA) - 13, freshman Elizabeth Curley (Centerville, MA) - 12 and Smith - 10 joined Sphar and Pollo.

Sophomore Natalia Porosa (Scarborough, Ontario) was the only other Patriot in double figures as she knocked home 22 kills. Pereira added a team-high 19 digs, while junior Jesica Umansky dished out a career and match-high 73 assists for the Patriots.

Hofstra returns to action tomorrow for their regular season finale when they host Towson University at 5 p.m. The match marks the final regular season match for Hofstra's two seniors, Beth Arnette and April Nick. Both will be honored in a pre-match ceremony.

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