March 24, 2008

FAIRFAX, Va. - With a pair of victories this weekend, the 11th-ranked George Mason men's volleyball team pushed its winning streak to five consecutive matches and improved to 14-6 overall and 7-3 in EIVA Tait Division matches. For his efforts in helping lead the Patriots to victory, junior outside hitter Hudson Bates was named the EIVA Tait Division Player of the Week.

On Thursday, Mason snapped a five-match losing streak to the St. Francis (Pa.) Red Flash as Bates hit .314 with 18 kills, eight digs and three blocks. On his fourth kill of the night, Bates reached a milestone with the 1,000th kill of his career. Two days later, Bates hit .261 with 12 kills, five digs and two blocks as the Patriots swept Juniata College in three games.

For the season, Bates is averaging 4.31 points per game, 3.71 kills per game and 1.24 digs per game. This is the second EIVA Tait Division Player of the Week award Bates has won this year. He also earned the honor on March 10.

The Patriots return to the court on Friday, March 28, taking on Loyola (Ill.) in a 7 p.m. match at the Fieldhouse.