Nov. 3, 2005

The George Mason women's volleyball team will host a pair of matches this weekend to conclude the home portion of their 2005 schedule. The Patriots will welcome Virginia Commonwealth on Friday at 7 p.m. and William & Mary on Saturday at 7 p.m.

The Patriots faced each team earlier this season and came away from those matches with a 0-2 mark. The Patriots lost at Virginia Commonwealth on Oct. 1, 30-23, 30-25, 30-19. Mason fell at William & Mary on Sept. 30, 30-20, 30-28, 26-30, 30-24.

William & Mary (18-8, 11-3) is currently second in the CAA and The Tribe is assured of a spot in the six-team CAA Tournament. Virginia Commonwealth (16-10, 8-6) is currently in fourth but could slip out of the postseason tournament with a poor showing over its final four conference matches. The Patriots (4-17, 1-13) will not be able to make the CAA Tournament for the first time in the conference's history.

The Patriots will celebrate Senior Night on Saturday when they honor the team's five seniors. Lindsay Angelo, Niki Bernardes, Julie Flanders, Natalia Porosa and Zulma Rojas will dress in a Mason uniform for the final time at home.

Mason will conclude its season on the road with matches at Delaware and Towson. Mason needs one win this weekend to avoid its losing streak extending to 11 matches. Mason last lost 11 straight matches in 1998. The Patriots need one win over the remainder of the season to avoid setting a school record for fewest wins in a season. In 1975, Mason won just five matches. The Patriots won seven matches in 1998. Those are the only two seasons prior to this one when Mason has failed to reach double figures in wins.