Oct. 7, 2007

Box Score

BOSTON - Senior libero Kristen Byler tied a career high with 25 digs, while classmate Jaqueline Kohler led all scorers with 22 kills as the George Mason women's volleyball team survived a five-game showdown at Northeastern on Sunday with a 3-2 win. Game scores were 30-24, 30-22, 21-30, 22-30, 15-11.

Mason (10-7, 3-2 CAA) won its third straight match for the first time in three seasons, while the Huskies (11-11, 3-2) saw their four-match winning streak halted, despite overcoming a 2-0 deficit to force a fifth game.

Joining Kohler in double-figure kills were sophomores Rebecca Walter and Laura Turner, who chipped in 15 and 12, respectively. Freshman Fernanda Bartels registered a game-high 49 assists and notched a double-double with 11 digs, while junior Morgan Connell tied a career best with 14 digs. Kira Batura led the Huskies attack with 21 kills.

Mason jumped out to the early two-game lead with a solid attack, but struggled in the third and fourth games as the Huskies earned a .244-to-.133 hitting percentage advantage as they knotted the contest up.

The Patriots regained their form in the fifth and deciding game, as they never trailed en route to the match victory. Jumping out to a 2-0 lead, Northeastern never allowed the deficit to grow past three points until match point at 14-10. After cutting the margin to 14-11, a Walter kill sealed the match with a kill on a feed from Bartels.

Mason's three-match win streak is its longest dating back to October 2004, when the Patriots earned victories over UNC Wilmington, William & Mary, and George Washington.

The Patriots will look to continue their winning ways next Friday when they host James Madison. The match is set for 7 p.m. at the Recreation Sports Complex (Field House). Tickets, which are $5 for adults and $2 for youth and senior citizens, are available on the day of the event.