April 20, 2007

FAIRFAX, Va. - The third-seeded George Mason Patriots will host the sixth-seeded East Stroudsburg Warriors in an EIVA Championship Tournament quarterfinal match on Saturday at 7 p.m. at John Linn Memorial Gym. The winner of the match will advance to the semifinal round of the tournament, and will face second-seeded St. Francis (Pa.) at the home of top-seeded Penn State on Thursday, April 26. Both the semifinal and final rounds of the tournament will be held at Penn State.

The Patriots earned the third seed and the right to host a quarterfinal match with a pair of conference wins last weekend, including a victory against East Stroudsburg on Friday. Mason finished the regular season with an 11-9 overall mark and 7-5 record in conference matches. East Stroudsburg hosted a first round match on Wednesday, April 18, defeating No. 7 seed NJIT in five games to advance to the quarterfinal round. The Warriors wrapped up the regular season with a 10-12 record and 5-8 mark against Tait Division foes.

The Patriots and the Warriors played twice this season, with George Mason winning both meetings. Mason lost only one game in those two matches and holds a 49-7 advantage in the all-time series with East Stroudsburg.

George Mason is led by redshirt freshman opposite hitter William Price, who won the final EIVA Tait Division Player of the Week award of the regular season for his performance in last weekend's matches. The honor was his third of the season. Price ranks among the national leaders in kills per game (T-3rd, 5.49), points per game (3rd, 6.62) and aces per game (2nd, 0.63). Also ranking among the nation's best for George Mason is redshirt freshman middle blocker Erik Lanham, who is 13th in the country in blocks per game (1.24), and senior libero Graham Sheppard, who is 16th in the country in digs per game (2.25).

East Stroudsburg has a few players ranking among the national leaders as well. Junior Jon Daley is tied for sixth in the nation in blocks per game (1.42), 10th in points per game (5.16) and tied for 20th in aces per game (0.34). Sophomore R.J. Roth is second in the country in digs per game (3.37), while senior Adam Holdredge is tied for fifth in assists per game (12.76).

Tickets to Saturday's EIVA Championship Tournament quarterfinal match will cost $5 for adults and $2 for youth, senior citizens and George Mason students. All fans are encouraged to wear green and gold to the game.