Aug. 31, 2006

FAIRFAX, Va. - After playing in The D.C. Volleyball Challenge last weekend, the Patriots are prepared for their second consecutive weekend of tournament action as they will host the Brion's Grille Patriot Invitational Tournament at John Linn Memorial Gym on Friday, Sept. 1 and Saturday, Sept. 2.

Six matches involving four universities are scheduled during the two-day tournament. Campbell, Central Michigan and Lamar will all be competing at the tournament along with George Mason. The tournament will begin on Friday with two matches - Lamar vs. Campbell at 4:30 p.m. and Central Michigan vs. George Mason at 7 p.m. - and will continue on Saturday with the last four matches - Lamar vs. Central Michigan at 10 a.m., Campbell vs. George Mason at 12:30 p.m., Central Michigan vs. Campbell at 4:30 p.m. and Lamar vs. George Mason at 7 p.m.

The Patriots opened up the season with a victory against American in five games last Friday before dropping two matches on the final day of The D.C. Volleyball Challenge on Saturday to Georgetown and George Washington by identical 3-1 scores. Junior outside hitter Jaqueline Kohler was honored for her efforts at the tournament as she was selected to the 2006 D.C. Challenge All-Tournament Team as voted on by the head coaches. She recorded three consecutive double-doubles and led the Patriots in kills in two out of the three matches at the tournament, finishing with a total of 53.

Mason will begin the first day of the tournament with a match against Central Michigan, who enter Friday's action with a perfect 3-0 record, their first 3-0 start since the 1993 season. The Chippewas defeated Indiana State, Wisconsin-Green Bay and Idaho State at their own tournament, the Super 8 Chippewa Classic, losing only one game in the process. Junior setter Courtney Kersten was outstanding in the three wins, averaging 13.20 assists per game and three digs per game. She was named the MVP of the tournament and also received Mid-American Conference West Division Player of the Week honors for her performance.

On the second day of action, the Patriots will face Campbell in their first match of the afternoon. The Fighting Camels played at the Georgia Southern Invitational Tournament to start the season last weekend, winning two out of three matches at the tournament. Campbell lost its opening match at the tournament to host Georgia Southern in three games, before downing both Charleston Southern and Savannah State. The Fighting Camels also played a home match this past Tuesday, losing to UNC Greensboro in three games. Senior right side/middle blocker Rachel Templin leads the team with 3.62 kills per game on a .318 hitting percentage while fellow senior Sarah Dillon is averaging 11.77 assists per game to go along with two digs per game.

Mason closes out the tournament with a match against Lamar. The Lady Cardinals lost all three of their matches to open the season at the Kathy Trosclair Memorial Tournament in New Orleans, La. Lamar won only two games in dropping matches to Tulane, the University of New Orleans and McNeese State. Despite the rough start to the season, senior middle blocker Buchi Okoh was a bright spot for the Lady Cardinals, earning All-Tournament honors after leading the Lady Cardinals in kills with an average of 3.88 per game. She also had eight total blocks in the three matches.

This weekend will be the Patriots' first match against Central Michigan in the school's history. Mason has one win against Campbell in their only meeting in 2003 and lost to Lamar in their only meeting in 1998.

Tickets will cost $5 for adults and $2 for seniors and youth. All full-time enrolled students at George Mason will be admitted free with a valid student ID. Tickets bought on Friday will be good for both matches and tickets bought on Saturday will be good for all four matches.