Oct. 16, 2010

Box Score

FAIRFAX, Va. - The George Mason women's volleyball team mounted a furious rally to come back from a two-set deficit to force a fifth set against VCU on Saturday evening at the RAC, but unlike the last time the two teams met, it was the Rams who came out on top as they defeated Mason, 3-2. Set scores were 25-19, 25-14, 22-25, 26-28, 15-4.

With the loss, the Patriots snap a seven-match winning streak and take their first Colonial Athletic Association loss of the season, falling to 6-1 and 11-8 overall. VCU improved to 5-2 in conference play and 7-16 overall.

Junior Noelle Fanella had a double-double with 15 digs and 10 kills to pace the Mason offense, while senior Fernanda Bartels added a double-double of her own with 33 assists and 13 digs. Freshman Lana Zonjic had a team- and career-high 21 digs, while four Rams hit double-digit kills led by 17 from Mariel Frey.

In a match highly reminiscent of the two teams' CAA Championship match in 2009, the Rams jumped out to a two-set lead but the Patriots regrouped and forced the fifth and deciding set. As the first set turned from a seven-point Mason lead into a VCU win, Mason dropped a set for only the second time in conference play this season.

The Rams used a 9-1 run to take over the lead and grab the set. Mason led 3-2 in the second set but it would be the final advantage for the Green and Gold in the frame, as a 5-1 run by VCU put the lead in the Rams' hands for good.

The third set was arguably the most contested of the sets, with eight ties and three lead changes. The margin was no greater than a point before five straight Mason points made it a 12-8 Patriot lead. That difference would prove to be all that Mason needed, as the Patriots would not trail again in the set despite VCU pulling within 23-22.

In the fourth, the Rams started strong and led for much of the set until Mason equalized it at 18. Three straight VCU points were equaled by the Patriots, and the teams would trade the next four points. VCU had three match points to seal the victory, but each time the Patriots responded and finally a Ram attack error and a kill by Bartels forced the deciding fifth frame.

Mason's comeback attempt fell short in the fifth, as the Rams jumped out to a 5-1 lead and after Mason cut it to two, a 10-1 run by VCU ended the match and delivered Mason its first home conference loss since October 24 last season, a sweep by Delaware.

The Patriots will spend the next three weekends on the road, beginning with a match at James Madison next Saturday evening at 7 p.m.