Sept. 21, 2006
FAIRFAX, Va. -
George Mason women's volleyball continues conference play with its second consecutive weekend of home matches, playing the defending CAA Champion VCU Rams on Friday at 7 p.m. and the William & Mary Tribe on Saturday at 5 p.m. at John Linn Memorial Gym.
After splitting a pair of conference matches at home last weekend, the Patriots enter Friday's action with a 4-6 overall record, 1-3 in CAA matches. Mason's lone CAA victory came in the conference home opener against UNC Wilmington on Sept. 15.
George Mason ranks fourth in the conference in blocks per game, with an average of 2.57. Senior middle blocker Chantal Bodkin-Clarke leads the team and the CAA in blocks per game, with an average of 1.53 per game. Bodkin-Clarke set a new career high in the win over UNC Wilmington with 11 total blocks (3 BS, 8 BA). She finished with 17 total blocks during the two matches this past weekend.
The Rams enter Friday's match 6-5 overall, and 2-2 in conference play. VCU beat both UNC Wilmington and Georgia State on the road during the opening weekend of conference play, before falling to both Northeastern and Hofstra in front of their home crowd last weekend. Northeastern stunned VCU on Sept. 15, rallying from an 0-2 deficit to defeat the Rams in five games. The loss snapped Virginia Commonwealth's seven-match winning streak against CAA opponents, dating back to last season.
VCU is led by senior outside hitter Ludmila Francescatto, who was named the conference Player of the Week on Aug. 28. She leads the conference in points per game with an average of 5.31, and ranks second in kills per game, averaging 4.49.
Saturday's match pits the Patriots against William & Mary. The Tribe currently hold a 4-7 overall record, and are 1-3 in conference play.
On the season, a number of Tribe players rank among the conference's best. Freshman Bryana Carey is second in the CAA in aces (0.62), sophomore Kim Mount ranks second in assists (12.17) and Hawley ranks third in digs (4.68).
Mason holds a 30-10 record in the all-time series against VCU, while the Tribe holds an edge in the all-time series with a 24-18 advantage over the Patriots.
Tickets can be purchased at John Linn Memorial Gym the day of the match at a rate of $5 for adults and $2 for youth and senior citizens.
