Sept. 22, 2006

Box Score

FAIRFAX, Va. - An inspired performance by junior outside hitter Jaqueline Kohler led George Mason (5-6, 2-3 CAA) past the defending CAA Champion VCU Rams (6-6, 2-3 CAA) on Friday evening at John Linn Memorial Gym.

Kohler's career-high 26 kills and four aces lifted the Patriots to their second conference victory of the season, and fifth overall. With tonight's win, the improved Mason squad eclipses last season's totals of four victories, and one in conference play.

The Patriots appeared in control of the match after taking the first two games by final scores of 30-28, and 30-27. The Rams refused to go easily; however, and took the next game 30-26 to cut Mason's lead to 2-1.

The match appeared to be heading toward a deciding fifth and final game as the Rams held a 28-24 lead late in the fourth game. VCU's Laryssa Goncalves service error cut the Patriots' deficit to three, and turned the serve back over to Mason. The Rams' lead fell to two after sophomore outside hitter Ana Luiza Bernardes de Borja's attack error.

With the Patriots trailing 28-26, Kohler took the game over. She served two consecutive aces to even the score at 28, and put the Patriots ahead by one with a kill off a perfect set by freshman Katie Corcoran. Fittingly, Kohler then closed out the game, and the match, with her 26th and final kill of the night.

George Mason hit .214 as a team, with Kohler's .319 mark on 69 swings leading the team. Kohler's big night came just at the right time for Mason, who were playing without freshman outside hitter Rebecca Walter, who ranks fourth in the conference with an average of 3.89 kills per game. Walter was unavailable for the match due to an ankle injury suffered in practice earlier in the week.

Once again, the Patriots dominated the net, recording 11 team blocks to the Rams' four. George Mason entered the match fourth in the conference in blocks per game, with an average of 2.57. Senior middle blocker Chantal Bodkin-Clarke, who entered the match leading both the team and the CAA in blocks per game, with an average of 1.53 per game, had another outstanding night, leading the team with six total blocks.

Corcoran recorded her ninth double-double with a match-high 39 assists and 13 digs. The outstanding freshman leads the conference in double-doubles. Sophomore Morgan Connell recorded a career-high 12 digs in the match.

VCU's senior outside hitter Ludmila Francescatto, who entered the match leading the conference in points per game with an average of 5.31, and ranked second in kills per game, averaging 4.49, had another big night, finishing with a team-high 23 kills. Sophomore setter Cat Juson had a team-high 38 assists, and sophomore libero Laryssa Goncalves recorded a match-high 16 digs.

With the win, Mason improves to 31-10 in the all-time series against VCU. The Patriots play again tomorrow at 5 p.m. at John Linn Memorial Gym against the William & Mary Tribe. The Tribe enter the contest 4-8 overall, and 1-4 in conference play after a 3-1 loss to James Madison in Harrisonburg, Va. on Friday night.

Tickets for tomorrow's match can be purchased at John Linn Memorial Gym at a rate of $5 for adults and $2 for youth and senior citizens.