Feb. 25, 2005
Box Score
When does a home match feel like a road match? When you're hosting the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez. The George Mason men's volleyball team found that out on Friday night but they just kept doing what they've done all year, whether it's been on the road or at home. Win. Mason downed University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez, 30-24, 30-22, 30-28 in front of more than 700 fans.
The 13th-ranked Patriots fell behind early as their opponents came out with more emotion and a higher energy level. That didn't last long, however. After falling behind 8-3, Mason went on a 27-16 run to snatch the first game and take a 1-0 lead. Neither team played particularly well on offense in the opening game as Mason hit just .207 while UPR-Mayaguez was held to a -.038 hitting percentage. The difference in the opening match was Mason's 9-3 advantage in team blocks.
The second game was never in doubt as Mason hit .500 while UPR-Mayaguez improved, but only to .167. The third game, however, saw a much livelier battle.
The Patriots took leads of 20-16 and 25-22 but each time, the opposition fought back. Mason was outhit in the final game, .519-.459, and was outblocked, 3-1. Still, there was enough in the tank in the final moments as Shaun Powell had kills on Mason's final two points, and the Patriots improved to 9-0 on the year. Mason is the only unbeaten team in NCAA Divisions I and II. They stayed unbeaten despite the effort of a University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez team that won its conference this year, going 20-0 in its season.
Hudson Bates led the Patriots with 15 kills, a .522 hitting percentage and six block assists, all match highs. Powell had 12 kills and five block assists while Felix Campos had 11 kills and four digs. Dave Egan had 41 assists, five digs and four block assists and R.J. Goubeaux hit .833. Ronald Rivera and Hernan Rivera paced UPR-Mayaguez as they had 11 and 8 kills, respectively. Hernan Rivera hit .500 on 14 attacks and Jorge Marxuach had a match-high nine digs.
The Patriots will face UPR-Mayaguez again on Sunday. There won't be an off-day for Mason, however, as the Patriots will face EIVA opponent Princeton on Saturday at 4 p.m. at John Linn Memorial Gymnasium.
