March 27, 2008

FAIRFAX, Va. - No. 11 George Mason will attempt to continue its winning ways when it hosts a pair of nonconference men's volleyball matches this weekend at the Fieldhouse against Loyola (Ill.) and IPFW. The Patriots have won their past five matches and eight of their past 10.

Mason enters this weekend in second place in the EIVA Tait Division with a 14-6 overall record and 7-3 mark in conference matches. The Patriots are 9-1 at home this season, with the lone loss coming on Feb. 8 against Ball State, currently the seventh-ranked team in the country.

On Friday, Mason will take on Loyola (Ill.), who enter the weekend with a 13-10 record. The Patriots and Ramblers faced each other once already this season, with Mason taking a 3-1 win at Alumni Gym in Chicago, Ill. on Jan. 26. Junior opposite hitter Kyle Gramit carried the Patriots' attack in the first meeting, finishing the match with 30 kills on .625 hitting. He also had two aces and seven blocks.

The following night, George Mason will face another familiar foe in IPFW, currently 9-10 this season. The Patriots and Mastodons have met twice already this season, with each side winning once. Mason lost in five in Fort Wayne, Ind. on Jan. 25 but rebounded with a five-game win on Feb. 22 at the Volleyball Hall of Fame Morgan Classic Tournament in Springfield, Mass. George Mason erased a two-game deficit in the win as Gramit totaled 30 kills in the match.

Tickets to the matches will cost $5 for adults and $2 for youth and senior citizens. All full-time enrolled students at George Mason University will be admitted free with a valid Mason student ID. Both matches are slated to start at 7 p.m.