Sept. 23, 2006

Box Score

FAIRFAX, Va. - George Mason (5-7, 2-4 CAA) fought hard until the final point, but couldn't quite overcome the William & Mary Tribe (5-8, 2-4 CAA) in Colonial Athletic Association women's volleyball action on Saturday evening at John Linn Memorial Gym.

The Patriots won the first and third games convincingly, and held a 2-1 lead heading into the fourth game. In the fourth game, the Patriots were poised to close out the match, leading 29-27 with freshman setter Katie Corcoran serving. The Allentown, Pa. native's serve sailed long, bringing the Tribe within a point at 29-28. William & Mary dodged another match point when sophomore setter Kim Mount set up sophomore outside hitter Abbi Owens for the kill to tie the game at 29. The Tribe took a one-point lead on junior outside hitter Jaqueline Kohler's attack error, and closed out the game on Mount's ace to force a deciding fifth game.

After jumping out to a quick two-point lead in the fifth game, Mason fell behind by a point at 5-4 and could never regain the lead. Trailing 14-11 and facing match point, the Patriots mounted a comeback, winning the next two points to pull within one at 14-13, before Owens closed out the game, and the match, with a kill.

For the second consecutive match, Kohler posted a career high with 26 kills. She also had 26 kills in last night's win over VCU. Teammates' Chantal Bodkin-Clarke and Laura Turner also recorded double-digit kill totals, finishing with 12 and 10, respectively.

Corcoran again led Mason with a match-high 52 assists to go along with 12 digs, for her conference-leading 10th double-double of the season. Kohler also had a double-double in the match, with 13 digs to go along with her 26 kills. Junior libero Kristen Byler led the team in digs with 22. The Patriots outhit the Tribe in the match, .197 to .130, and also recorded more blocks, 13 to 7.5.

The Tribe were led by Owens' 21 kills, Mount's 45 assists, and senior libero Kathleen Hawley's 25 digs.

George Mason hits the road for its next match, playing at Northeastern on Friday, Sept. 29 at 7 p.m.