Sept. 1, 2006

Box Score

FAIRFAX, Va. - George Mason's women's volleyball team opened up the first day of the Brion's Grille Patriot Invitational Tournament on a winning note, downing the previously undefeated Central Michigan Chippewas in three games (31-29, 30-28, 30-25) to even their record at 2-2 on the season.

A strong serving game led the Patriots past the Chippewas, who entered Friday's action with a perfect 3-0 record, their first 3-0 start since the 1993 season. Mason tallied nine aces on the night, compared to only two for Central Michigan. Sophomore outside hitter Morgan Connell registered a career high three aces, while junior libero Kristen Byler matched that number, tying her career best, which she has achieved on two other occasions. Freshman outside hitter Rebecca Walter chipped in two and fellow freshman Katie Corcoran also tallied an ace.

Junior outside hitter Jaqueline Kohler, a member of last weekend's D.C. Volleyball Challenge All-Tournament Team, and Walter both led the Patriots with nine kills. Senior middle blocker Chantal Bodkin-Clarke posted a perfect hitting percentage with six kills on six attempts to go along with three block assists, and Corcoran recorded her fourth straight double-double to begin her career, with a team-high 32 assists and 12 digs.

Central Michigan's Alison Baker was the only player to record a double-digit kill total in the match, finishing the night with 10. Redshirt junior setter Courtney Kersten, the MVP of last weekend's Super 8 Chippewa Classic and the reigning Mid-American Conference West Division Player of the Week, had another nice performance, recording a match-high 38 assists. Freshman libero Alexis Lonneman chipped in a match-high 17 digs in the losing effort.

Tonight's match was the first-ever meeting between the two teams and the first match of the 2006 season at John Linn Memorial Gym for the Patriots. In 21 years of playing at Linn Gym, the Patriots have recorded a losing home record in a season just three times.

In other tournament action, Lamar won its first match of the season, defeating Campbell in four games (29-31, 30-17, 30-27, 30-18). Campbell drops to 2-3 with the loss.

The final four matches of the two-day Brion's Grille Patriot Invitational Tournament are scheduled for tomorrow. The action begins at 10 a.m. with Lamar taking on Central Michigan and continues with 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.

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. Any tickets purchased on Saturday will be good for all four matches.