Nov. 12, 2004
Box Score
George Mason and Hofstra had a lot on the line when they faced off on Friday night in women's volleyball. The Patriots hosted Hofstra with a spot in the CAA Tournament potentially in the balance. The Pride, meanwhile, embarked on a two-match road trip with hopes of hosting the conference tournament by winning the regular-season title.
In the end, Hofstra had no answer for Mason junior outside hitter Natalia Porosa as she dominated at the net, compiling 17 kills and a .441 hitting percentage along with 11 digs and three service aces as the Patriots defeated Hofstra, 30-24, 30-26, 30-23.
The Patriots still need to win their season finale on Saturday against Delaware in order to make the postseason tournament, but hope is still very much alive. Hofstra, meanwhile, needed a Delaware win at Towson on Friday night for it to have a chance to still claim the regular-season title.
The Patriots opened the match strong, jumping out to an 11-2 lead in the first game. Porosa had all three of her service aces in that opening stretch and Zulma Rojas added two of her three service aces. The Patriots saw their lead dwindle to just three before they closed out the first game. The second game was much tighter, with the Patriots pulling away during the final four points. The final game saw Mason jump out to a 6-0 lead and hold on to take the win.
Jaqueline Kohler also had a terrific match for the Patriots with a match-high 18 kills and .325 hitting percentage. Jesica Umansky had 41 assists and nine digs while Chantal Bodkin-Clarke had five kills and six block assists. The Patriots had nine blocks to Hofstra's five and 12 service aces to Hofstra's three.
The Pride were led by Elizabeth Curley's 11 kills and .529 hitting percentage. The sophomore also had two solo blocks and two block assists. But junior outside hitter Tessa Sphar remained hampered by injury and she was unable to come up with a kill on eight attacks. Catherine Durakis had 10 digs for the Pride, Julie Tatar had nine kills and 12 digs and Shellane Ogoshi had 28 assists and 10 digs.
The Patriots take on Delaware at 7 p.m. on Saturday in the final home match of Umansky's career.
