Jan. 25, 2008

Box Score

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - The 12th-ranked George Mason men's volleyball team (3-1) went on the road for the first time during the 2008 season on Friday night, playing the ninth-ranked IPFW Mastodons (2-2) at the Hilliard Gates Sports Center in Fort Wayne, Ind. Mason nearly pulled off the upset, taking a 2-1 lead in the match before falling to IPFW in five games (19-30, 30-21, 30-26, 19-30, 9-15).

The Patriots got off to a rough start in the match as the Mastodons opened up a 22-12 lead in the opening game and were never challenged from that point, taking an 11-point win.

The third and fourth games were a different story as the Patriots mounted a comeback on the strength of an offensive attack that was taking some huge swings at the ball. George Mason hit .571 in the second game, riding the arm of junior opposite hitter Kyle Gramit. Gramit was a one-man wrecking crew, putting down 20 balls by the time the third game finished. When the dust had settled, a stunned Hilliard Gates Sports Center crowd saw the Mastodons down, 2-1.

However, Mason was unable to close out IPFW. In the fourth game, senior opposite hitter Jason Yhost gave the Mastodons an 18-13 lead with a blast to the back row. Senior outside hitter C.J. Macias took control late, serving out the final four points to tie the match at two.

In the fifth and final game, senior outside hitter Brock Ullrich fired off two service aces, finishing the match with six, as IPFW took a 10-4 lead. They went point-for-point with the Patriots from there to take the match, 3-2.

Gramit put down a co-game high 23 kills for George Mason. Junior outside hitter Hudson Bates tallied 14 kills, while senior middle blocker R.J. Goubeaux finished the night with 11. Sophomore Brandon McLaughlin was a force in the middle for the Patriots. McLaughlin had two solo blocks and assisted on nine others as Mason outblocked IPFW, 15.5 to 14.5.

Macias led the Mastodon attack with 23 kills. He also had six digs and five block assists. Yhost nearly pulled off a double-double with 11 kills and nine digs.

Mason will look to get back on the winning track tomorrow when it plays at No. 14 Loyola (Ill.) in a 7 p.m. match.