Oct. 8, 2010
Box Score
FAIRFAX, Va. - With sole possession of first place in the Colonial Athletic Association standings on the line, the George Mason women's volleyball team put together a dominating performance as the Patriots dispatched Georgia State in straight sets, 25-20, 25-21, 25-16, on Friday evening at the RAC.
Mason improves to 4-0 in CAA play and 9-7 overall, left standing as the lone unbeaten team in conference after the Panthers fell to 3-1 in the CAA and 9-9 overall.
Freshman Lana Zonjic and junior Noelle Fanella each chipped in 14 kills on better than .400 hitting while junior Kelly McCarter and senior Fernanda Bartels registered match highs of 16 digs and 37 assists, respectively. Fanella, who fell one dig short of a double-double, also had a match-best three service aces. Ashley Jones posted 13 kills to pace the Panthers, who were out-hit on the evening by a .337-to.114 margin.
The first set was highlighted by Fanella's seven kills on error-free hitting of .538. All three of the outside hitter's aces came in the opening stanza as well. Mason trailed just twice in the set, after the opening point and down 3-1. A 6-1 Patriot scoring run though put the lead in the hands of the Green and Gold for the rest of the set, with GSU getting no closer than one at 16-15.
In the second set, it was Zonjic's turn to shine as she posted six kills while senior Holly Goode added five. The Panthers had the early lead and led 4-3 before relinquishing the advantage to Mason, who went on to lead by as many as five in the set.
Out of the break, the Patriots simply could not be stopped on offense in the third set. Swinging .621 with just one error compared to 19 kills in the frame, Mason spotted the Panthers the opening point but would never trail again. There were four tie scores, but each time the Patriots found a way to maintain control. Mason broke open a tight 12-11 lead with seven of the next nine points to go up 19-13, and closed out the match with four straight points to punctuate the victory.
Mason will look to move to 5-0 in the conference with its fifth straight victory on Saturday afternoon with a 5 p.m. home tilt against UNC Wilmington.
