Jan. 15, 2008

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FAIRFAX, Va. - The George Mason men's volleyball team enters the 2008 season full of confidence with the experience it gained last season, when the team advanced to the semifinals of the EIVA Championships, as well as during a successful 2007 fall schedule. As a result of that experience, the team has formed a tight bond, and that strong team chemistry is a major reason the Patriots have been playing at such a high level on the court and have high hopes of challenging perennial powerhouse Penn State for the EIVA Tait Division title in 2008.

Both the team's unity and ability were on display during a fall schedule that culminated with an impressive display at the 15th Annual NCAA Men's Volleyball Preview to the Final Four Tournament in Buffalo, N.Y. In a span of two days, the Patriots knocked off a trio of powerhouse programs in defending national champions UC Irvine, last year's national runner-up IPFW and defending EIVA champions Penn State.

While the team has lost a couple of key components from last year's 12-10 squad that advanced to the semifinal round of the EIVA Championships, it will have its lineup bolstered by the return of both outside hitter Hudson Bates and middle blocker R.J. Goubeaux from injury. Bates played in only three matches, while Goubeaux missed all of last season, and their return to the lineup this season will go a long way in determining how far Mason will advance in 2008.

"I think it's huge to have the two of them back," said Head Coach Fred Chao, referring to Bates and Goubeaux. "R.J. has a ton of experience in the middle and has really developed into a nice player, while Hudson's leadership, along with his skills, helps motivate the other five guys on the court to play well."

With Goubeaux's 6-9 frame in the middle along with redshirt sophomore Brandon McLaughlin, it will be tough for opposing offenses to put the ball away. Goubeaux ranks fifth all-time at Mason in the rally-scoring era with 250 total blocks in his career heading into his final year. He is also a threat on offense, posting an impressive hitting percentage of .504 during his last year on the court during the 2006 season.

In addition to being an emotional anchor for the team as one of its leaders, Bates will have a lot of passing and hitting responsibilities on offense. Always a threat to put points on the board, he ranks fifth in the rally-scoring era with 737 career kills heading into this season.

While Bates will be counted on for kills, he will be part of a balanced attack that will also rely on outside hitter Mark Burik, returning for his senior season after earning Second-Team EIVA All-East honors last year, and Kyle Gramit, a First-Team EIVA All-East performer last season at outside hitter, who will be making the switch to the opposite spot this season after the departure of Will Price. Price led the team in kills last season on his way to earning EIVA Newcomer of the Year and First-Team All-East honors.

While Price's production at the opposite spot will be tough to replace, it appears Gramit is ready for the task, after playing well at the position during the team's preseason matches. The native of Naperville, Ill. ranked second on the team in both kills per game and points per game last season, and is poised to take his game to the next level this season despite having to learn a new position.

"Kyle will be an X-factor for us this season," Chao said. "We can win matches if he's not functioning well, but for us to beat the better teams that we're going to play, he's going to have to play well."

Setting up Mason's offensive firepower will be Ryan Kwiatkowski, back for his sophomore season after redshirting his first season with the team in 2006. Kwiatkowski performed well in his first season on the court in 2007, taking over the setting duties from Billy Freesmeier early in the year. He led the team in assists with 710 and with a year of playing under his belt should only be better this year. Backing up Kwiatkowski at setter will be Brandon Joyner, who redshirted last season.

Mason has a big hole to fill at the libero position, where the team lost its career leader in digs during the rally-scoring era in Graham Sheppard, who wrapped up his senior season in 2007 with 183 digs to close out his career with 634 during his four years at Mason. Sheppard was named First-Team EIVA All-East at the position during both his junior and senior seasons.

Looking to step into his place will be freshman Eric Lucas, the son of one of Mason's all-time greats, Ric Lucas. Ric graduated from Mason in 1985 as a two-time All-American and a member of the 1984 NCAA All-Tournament team. Having grown up around the game of volleyball, Eric has displayed natural ability on the court throughout preseason play.

Backing up Lucas at the libero position will be sophomore Luke Maloney. Maloney is an excellent all-around player who will be counted on to come off the bench to serve and play defense when needed.

Also contributing off the bench for the Patriots will be sophomore Colton Naill at opposite hitter, redshirt sophomore Erik Lanham at middle blocker and Ben Nichols, a transfer from Long Beach State, at outside hitter. Joining the team as freshman, along with Lucas, will be setter Daniel Marushka and outside hitter Joe Norton.

The Patriots 2008 schedule begins on Jan. 15 with a match against the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez at the Fieldhouse. Mason will play its first three matches in front of its home crowd before hitting the road for its first away match of the season against IPFW in Fort Wayne, Ind. on Jan. 25.

Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Tait Division play gets underway with a match on the road against St. Francis (Pa.) on Feb. 1. In the conference opener, Mason will attempt to avenge last year's defeat in the semifinals of the EIVA Championships to the Red Flash. After completing the regular season, the EIVA Championship Tournament will begin on April 16 with first round matches, with the televised conference championship match slated for April 26 at the home of the top seed. The winner of the conference title will advance to the NCAA Championships, slated for May 1-3 at the Bren Events Center in Irvine, Calif.