March 22, 2010

Box Score

FAIRFAX, Va. - The George Mason men's volleyball team took a set from No. 14 Ohio State on Monday evening at the RAC but were unable to overcome the Buckeyes, falling by a final score of 3-1. Final set scores were 27-30, 30-26, 26-30 and 26-30.

After losing in straight sets in the team's previous two meetings this season, the Patriots played more competitive volleyball in the third meeting. After dropping the first set by three points, Mason won a second set that featured 11 ties and three lead changes to even the match at a set apiece.

With the set tied at 24 points, the Patriots took control, winning the next two points on a pair of attack errors by Ohio State sophomore Shawn Sangrey. George Mason never relinquished the lead and took the final point of the set when sophomore Joe Norton and freshman Piotr Dabrowski combined to block Buckeyes' junior Jason Tobkin's attempt.

The Patriots stayed competitive throughout the next two sets but were unable to take either. The Buckeyes won both by identical scores of 30-26 to win the match.

Dabrowski hit .400 and led the team with 10 total blocks as the Patriots recorded 15.5 blocks as a team. Freshman Michael Kvidahl was the only member of the team to reach double figures in kills, wrapping up the match with 11. Junior setter Brandon Joyner paced the Patriots with 36 assists. Freshman libero Max McFarland tallied a team-high 10 digs.

Ohio State struggled with its serve all night, but was able to overcome it with a balanced attack that featured three players with double-digit kill totals. Sangrey led the Buckeyes with 23 kills. Junior outside hitter John Klanac hit .342 with 20 kills.

George Mason's overall record dropped to 5-12 following the loss. Ohio State improved to 14-7 on the season.

Mason hits the road for its next match, traveling to Chicago, Ill. to face Loyola-Chicago on Friday, March 26. First serve is slated for 8 p.m. ET.