April 25, 2009

Box Score

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - George Mason dropped the first set, but took the next three over Springfield College on Saturday evening at Blake Arena in Springfield, Mass. to advance to the semifinal round of the EIVA Men's Volleyball Championship. The Patriots will take on top-seeded Penn State on Thursday, April 30 at 7:30 p.m. in University Park, Pa.

With the win, Mason improved to 14-15 on the season. The Pride end their season with a 14-10 overall record. George Mason defeated Springfield College in all three meetings this season to improve its record to 20-4 in the all-time series with the Pride.

The Patriots' defensive unit gave the Pride trouble throughout the match. Mason finished with 15.5 team blocks to just seven for Springfield College. Senior Brandon McLaughlin finished with a match-high 11 blocks, including three solo.

Junior Ben Nichols paced the Patriots' attack with 20 kills on .356 hitting. Sophomore libero Eric Lucas led all players with 18 digs.

Three players posted double-doubles in a losing effort for Springfield College. Mark Ribeiro finished with 12 kills and 12 digs, Eric Shoemaker totaled 56 assists and 11 digs and AJ Nally recorded 23 kills and 11 digs.

2009 EIVA CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT
EIVA First Round
Wednesday, April 22
No. 6 Princeton def. No. 7 Rutgers-Newark, 3-0
No. 5 George Mason def. No. 8 Harvard, 3-1

EIVA Quarterfinals
Saturday, April 25
No. 3 Saint Francis def. No. 6 Princeton, 3-2
No. 5 George Mason def. No. 4 Springfield, 3-1

EIVA Semifinals (Hosted at Penn State's Rec Hall)
Thursday, April 30
No. 3 Saint Francis vs. No. 2 Juniata, 4:30 p.m.
No. 5 George Mason at No. 1 Penn State, 7:30 p.m.

EIVA Championship (Hosted at Penn State's Rec Hall)
Saturday, May 2
No. 3 Saint Francis/No. 2 Juniata vs. No. 5 George Mason/No. 1 Penn State, 7 p.m.

EIVA Championship Seeding
1. Penn State
2. Juniata
3. Saint Francis
4. Springfield
5. George Mason
6. Princeton
7. Rutgers-Newark
8. Harvard