Jan. 29, 2004

A pair of exhibition matches this weekend could be just what the doctor ordered for the George Mason University men's volleyball team. After starting the season 0-3, the pressure will be off this weekend as the Patriots will try to earn a win that could get them on track for their tough schedule ahead.

The Patriots enter the match fresh off facing two of the nation's top-15 teams as well as a third team that has received votes in all three of this year's polls.

The season began with road losses at No. 10 Ball State and at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne. While IPFW is not ranked, the Mastodons have received votes in all three of the American Volleyball Coaches Association's weekly polls.

The Patriots then returned home to face then-No. 11 Lewis and the defending NCAA national champions added a third-straight loss to George Mason's record to start the season.

In Dalhousie University, George Mason faces a team that has no rust, as the season began in October for the Canadian school. After starting the season with nine straight wins, Dalhousie sits at 13-4 on the year and in first place in the Atlantic University Sport standings. For the Patriots to be successful against the Tigers, they will need to continue getting strong play from junior Felix Campos and sophomore Matt Steinfurth as well as improved play from a variety of sources.

So far this season, Campos is averaging 5.10 kills per game, which puts him second in the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association. Steinfurth is averaging 4.20 kills per game which ranks him eighth in the conference. While Steinfurth and Campos have hitting percentages of .269 and .248, respectively, the rest of the team is averaging a -.016 hitting percentage.

The Tigers, meanwhile, will be relying on freshman Adam Hotchkiss to lead them. The 6-foot, 6-inch outside hitter has been Dalhousie's most consistent player. Jeff Rand, Tim Wiley and Kanitha Boranprasit also are capable of having big matches.