April 5, 2007

FAIRFAX, Va. - For the second consecutive weekend, the George Mason men's volleyball team (8-8, 4-4 EIVA Tait Division) will host a pair of home matches at John Linn Memorial Gym. On Friday, the Patriots play against the Rutgers-Newark Scarlet Raiders (2-23, 0-11 EIVA Tait Division) at 7 p.m. On Saturday, Mason will host the annual Uvaldo Acosta Memorial Match, taking on No. 6 Penn State (17-6, 10-0 EIVA Tait Division).

Mason is currently in the middle of a stretch of six consecutive home matches to close out the regular season. Last weekend, the Patriots split a pair of matches at home against New York University (W, 3-0) and Juniata (L, 3-2). Three players rank among the national leaders for George Mason. Redshirt freshman opposite hitter William Price leads the nation in kills per game (5.69), and is tied for third in points per game (6.77) and fourth in aces per game (0.59); senior middle blocker Kyle Swanson is 17th in blocks per game (1.22); and senior libero Graham Sheppard is 14th in digs per game (2.35)

Both opponents this weekend are members of the EIVA Tait Division. Mason is currently in fifth place in the division standings with a 4-4 record in conference play. The Scarlet Raiders are in last place, searching for their first win with an 0-11 mark in conference matches. Penn State clinched the EIVA Tait Division title with its flawless 10-0 record and has earned the right to host the EIVA Championship semifinals and final, slated for Thursday and Saturday, April 26 and 28, at Rec Hall in University Park, Pa.

Friday's opponent, Rutgers-Newark, has struggled all season long, posting a 2-23 overall record with its only wins coming against New York University and Mercyhurst. The Scarlet Raiders enter Friday's match on a 20-match losing streak, with their last win coming in their Jan. 27 match against Mercyhurst. The Patriots are 40-45 in the all-time series against Rutgers-Newark, including their three-game win earlier in the season at The Golden Dome Classic.

Saturday's match against Penn State will be the annual UV Memorial Match, held in honor of Patriots' men's volleyball legend Uvaldo Acosta, who passed away at the age of 32 in a tragic swimming accident on Feb. 12, 1998 on a team trip to Hawaii while he was serving as head coach of the men's volleyball team. During his playing career, Acosta was a three-time All-American (1986-88), and a three-time member of the EIVA All-East team (1986-88), as well as a member of the USA National Team (1989-92) and the USA Junior National Team (1985). He ranks among Mason's career leaders in kills (4th, 1,554), hitting percentage (8th, .342), digs (5th, 661) and service aces (7th, 80). His 27 digs on May 7, 1988 against Ball State is an NCAA Tournament match record, and his 40 digs in the 1988 NCAA Tournament remains a tournament record. A banner with his retired number eight hangs in John Linn Memorial Gym.

The Uvaldo Acosta Memorial Scholarship Fund has been established at George Mason University to endow a scholarship. Tax-deductible donations used exclusively for this fund may be made directly to:

The Patriot Club
George Mason University
4400 University Dr., MSN 5E1
Fairfax, VA 22030-4444
(703) 993-3215

Single-match tickets will cost $5 for adults and $2 for youth and senior citizens. All full-time enrolled students will be admitted free with a valid student ID.

Saturday's match will feature two promotions. All children 12 and under will receive a Mason School Pack courtesy of The Washington Post and George Mason's mascot, Gunston, will make an appearance at the match.