Nov. 7, 2009
Box Score
RICHMOND, Va. - In a matchup of two teams that will both earn a spot in the Colonial Athletic Association tournament later this month, the George Mason women's volleyball team pushed VCU to the brink but ultimately the Rams held on for a five-set victory on Saturday evening at the Siegel Center. Set scores were 25-17, 22-25, 13-25, 25-15, 15-13.
With the win, VCU improved to 10-2 in conference play (22-8 overall) as it took over first place in the CAA standings. The Patriots, meanwhile, snapped a three-match win streak and dropped to 9-4 in CAA play and 20-8 overall. By virtue of the CAA tie-breaker rules, the Patriots have clinched a spot in the CAA tournament which will feature the top four teams in the conference.
Junior Holly Goode led the Patriot effort with a double-double performance, recording 15 digs and 13 kills while also adding seven blocks. Sophomore Kelsey Bohman led all players with nine blocks, part of a Mason unit which held a 13-to-7 advantage at the net. Bohman also joined Goode in double-figure kills as she chipped in 11.
Michala Kvapilova led the Rams with 19 kills while Marisa Low had a match-high 20 digs.
VCU jumped out to the early lead in the first set and never trailed, though Mason was as close as 21-17 late before the Rams scored four points in a row to end the set. The Rams held a .286-to-.182 hitting advantage in the set, but that advantage switched side into the second set, with Mason out-hitting VCU .281-to-.167 in the second.
After VCU led 3-2 in the early going of the second, the Patriots fired off a 9-2 run to seize the lead for good. It got close towards the end of the set, with the Rams pulling to within a point at 23-22. A kill from sophomore Noelle Fanella and a Rams attack error, though, equalized the match at one set apiece.
The third set opened with a see-saw battle before, trailing 11-8, the Patriots exploded to come back and win the set 25-13, including a 7-0 span on Fanella's serve which was marked by five Mason blocks. The Rams forced a tie-breaking set in the fourth by taking control of a 4-4 tie and holding Mason to .081 hitting while VCU was swinging .393 in the frame.
There were three tie scores in the fifth set but never was Mason able to take the lead. The largest deficit was four including at 12-8, but four straight points by the Patriots knotted the score. A Mariel Frey kill and a Mason attack error put the Rams at match point, and after a Goode kill cut the gap to one, VCU was able to record the final point to tie the season series at one match per team.
Mason returns home to close out the 2009 regular season next Saturday, when the Patriots host rival James Madison at 7 p.m. on Senior Night at the RAC. Seniors Sam Simmonds, Laura Turner and Rebecca Walter will be honored prior to the match, their final home contest in the Green and Gold.
