March 28, 2006

FAIRFAX, Va. - Redshirt senior setter Bryan Newcomb earned EIVA Division I-II Player of the Week honors for his performance in two matches this past week, including a victory over then No. 9 Penn State, the first for the Patriots since the 2001 season.

In the win over the Nittany Lions, Newcomb dished out a match-high 50 assists as the Patriots hit .432 as a team. He also had an ace, two digs and seven block assists in Mason's four-game victory, which pulled the Patriots into a tie in the loss column with Penn State for first place in the EIVA Tait Division.

Newcomb also led all players in assists in George Mason's victory over St. Francis (Pa.) earlier in the week. He recorded 46 assists as the Patriots hit .320 in their three-game win over the Red Flash.

Newcomb is the third player to win the award for George Mason this season. Senior Matt Steinfurth and sophomore Hudson Bates have also earned EIVA Division I-II Player of the Week honors.