Feb. 21, 2010

Box Score

FAIRFAX, Va. - Despite double-doubles from senior outside hitter Luke Maloney and freshman setter Javier Perez, George Mason was unable to overcome the balanced attack of Springfield College on Sunday afternoon at the RAC Gym. The Pride had four players reach double figures in kills in a 3-1 defeat of the Patriots.

Final set scores were 32-34, 30-26, 28-30 and 26-30. George Mason's record falls to 3-6 overall and 1-2 in EIVA Tait Division matches following the loss. The Patriots have lost four consecutive matches, including three straight in their home gym after a season-opening victory over Lees-McRae at the RAC. Springfield College improved to 8-4 overall and 2-2 in EIVA Tait Division matches with Sunday's win.

Mason missed a golden opportunity to take a one-set lead in an opening set that featured 16 ties and four lead changes. The Patriots took an early 7-2 lead, forcing Springfield College head coach Charlie Sullivan to take a quick timeout. Following the timeout, the Pride battled back to tie the score at 13. The two sides went back-and-forth until Springfield College scored the final two points on a double-block by Alistair Matthews and Greg Falcone, followed by an attack error by Mason's Andrew Dentler on set point, to take a 34-32 victory.

The Patriots evened the score at one set apiece by taking the second set by a final score of 30-26. With the score knotted at 26, Mason won the next point on a kill by junior Eric Lucas, who nearly reached a double-double in the match with 11 kills and nine digs, off a nice feed from Perez. Following the kill by Lucas, stout defense at the net by the Patriots forced the Pride into three consecutive attack errors to close out the set.

The third set was tied at 25 when Springfield College went on a 3-0 run to put the Patriots in a 28-25 hole. George Mason was unable to overcome the deficit, losing to the Pride by two points, 30-28. Springfield College went on to take the fourth set as well to close the match and defeat Mason for the first time since the 2004 season.

Maloney finished with 14 kills, 12 digs and two aces in a losing effort. Perez led all players with 60 assists and 15 digs. Dentler led the Patriots with 18 kills on 38 swings.

Matthews (15), Mike Pelletier (13), AJ Nally (10) and Cal Palumbo (10) all reached double-digit kill totals in the match for the Pride. Matthews and Nally both recorded double-doubles in the win. Matthews finished with 15 digs, while Nally recorded 14.

George Mason and Springfield College meet again in four days in Springfield, Mass. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 25 at Blake Arena.