Feb. 16, 2004
Box Score
FAIRFAX, VA -
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The George Mason men's volleyball team hosted Quincy University on Monday night and the Patriots might have entered the game as underdogs, but they certainly didn't back down from a fight. Despite having three starters in street clothes due to injury, the Patriots still managed to take their first lead of the young season, but the predominantly freshman lineup was unable to hold the advantage as Quincy came from behind to take a 30-21, 19-30, 18-30, 30-25, 17-15 win.
The Patriots have dropped the first game in all eight of their matches this season and Monday night was no exception as Quincy stormed out to a 30-21 win in the first game. The Hawks had 15 kills and just three errors on 27 attacks in the set while the Patriots hit just .148. The second game was a different story, though, as Quincy had 11 kills and nine errors on 35 attacks while the Patriots had 16 kills and just five errors on 34 attacks. Trailing 12-9 in the game, the Patriots rolled off seven straight points to take a commanding lead and won eight of the game's final 12 points to make it 1-1.
The third game saw the Patriots dominate from the beginning. A 16-7 run midway through the game helped seal the deal as the Hawks committed more errors, 11, than they had kills, eight. The fourth game was much tighter, with Quincy taking an early lead and the Patriots continuously fighting back to pull to within a point. Ahead 23-22, Quincy called a timeout, and it seemed to be exactly what the Hawks needed as they won seven of the next 10 points to even the match.
The fifth game saw both teams play exceptionally well, and neither was able to establish a decisive advantage. The Patriots led 7-4 and 10-8 but the Hawks refused to back down, taking a 12-11 lead. From there the teams continued to trade points until R.J. Goubeaux committed his only error of the night, allowing Quincy to pull out the final frame, 17-15.
Felix Campos was superb for George Mason, with 28 kills and just seven errors on 54 attacks. His .388 hitting percentage wasn't a game or team high, though. Graham Smithson had eight kills and one error on 10 attacks while Goubeaux had eight kills and one error on 11 attacks. Arturo Barreiro added 12 kills and Dustin Crosby had 47 assists. Graham Sheppard and Barreiro each had seven digs and Smithson added five block assists. Crosby was filling in for starting setter Dave Egan. Crosby had been playing outside hitter and Barreiro filled that role. Smithson was in for the team's leading hitter Matt Steinfurth, while Andres Mansisidor (six digs) was in for starting libero Brad Kniewel. All three players were sidelined due to injury.
Branden Breen had 13 kills and three errors on 24 attacks for the Hawks (5-4) while Nathan Boyd had 22 kills and six errors on 39 attacks. Brian Turczynski added nine kills and three errors on 13 attacks. Robbie Mendenhall had 57 assists and eight digs while Boud added 10 digs.
The Patriots (0-8) next play on Friday when they travel to Rutgers-Newark for a 7 p.m. match.
