Sept. 20, 2008

Box Score

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - In its final non-conference match of the season, the George Mason women's volleyball team was handed its second sweep in as many days, as the Ball State Cardinals defeated the Patriots, 3-0 (25-23, 25-23, 25-10) at Assembly Hall on Saturday afternoon.

Mason (4-9) leaves the Hoosier State without a victory in three tries over the weekend, while Ball State improved to 4-10 after the match.

The Patriots were held to .105 hitting and were led by junior Rebecca Walter's eight kills. Ball State, which hit .250 on the match, was led by 11 kills from Julie Breivogel. Senior Jourdan Dozier had another strong effort at the net with four total blocks, while Walter led the Patriots with eight digs.

Ball State edged Mason in both of the first two sets with 25-23 scores. The two teams were essentially even through most of the first set, but with the score tied at 20, the Cardinals rattled off three straight points. However, Mason staved off set point by responding with three in a row of their own on junior Laura Turner's serve. At the 23-23 tie, though, two BSU kills by Elaina Kakatolis put away the set in the Cardinals' favor.

After a 3-3 tie, Mason took control of the second set until the Cardinals, who stayed within four points, evened the ledger ultimately at 20-20. The teams swapped the next six points and finding themselves tied at 23 for the second straight set, two Ball State points gave the Cardinals a 2-0 set lead. Ball State broke open a close third set at 6-4 with a 6-0 run, while Mason scored just six more points in the match-deciding frame.

Mason returns home next weekend to open Colonial Athletic Association play, squaring off against James Madison at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Field House.