March 31, 2007
Box Score
FAIRFAX, Va. -
George Mason led 2-1 against EIVA Tait Division rival Juniata College but couldn't close out the match, as the Eagles won the final two games to beat the Patriots on Saturday evening at John Linn Memorial Gym. Both teams now stand at .500 in EIVA Tait Division matches, with Juniata at 5-5 (13-6 overall) and Mason at 4-4 (8-8 overall).
After the Patriots cruised to a nine-point victory in the opening game, Juniata scored a come-from-behind win in the second game to even the match at a game apiece. George Mason led by two points in the second game, at 20-18, when the Eagles went on a 4-0 run to take a 22-20 lead. Mason never regained the lead, falling by a final score of 30-27.
The third game was close until the Patriots went on a big run to put the Eagles away at the end. Leading 23-22, Mason scored the final seven points of the game to win 30-22 and put itself in position to win the match with one more victory. The Patriots were on the brink of victory in the fourth game, leading 25-24, but couldn't hold onto the lead, as Juniata took over, scoring the next four points to take a 28-24 advantage on its way to a 30-27 win to force a deciding fifth game.
George Mason started the fifth and deciding game with a kill by redshirt freshman opposite hitter William Price to take an early lead. Unfortunately, it was the only lead the Patriots would hold in the game as the Eagles closed out the match with a 15-9 win.
Sophomore outside hitter Kyle Gramit had an outstanding night for Mason, finishing with a match-high 25 kills, a team-high nine digs, an ace and four blocks. Redshirt junior outside hitter Mark Burik also starred in the match, finishing with 11 kills, six aces, eight digs and four blocks. Price finished with 21 kills and three aces, redshirt freshman setter Ryan Kwiatkowski had a match-high 58 assists and senior middle blocker Kyle Swanson led the Patriots with 11 blocks.
Senior Nate Ocasio registered a double-double for the Eagles, finishing with 13 kills and 12 digs. In addition to Ocasio, three other players reached double-digit kill totals for Juniata as Ryan McGinley tallied a team-high 16, Jeremy Barndt chipped in 14 and Dan Powers finished with 12.
George Mason continues EIVA Tait Division play when Rutgers-Newark visits John Linn Memorial Gym on Friday, April 6. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m.
