April 7, 2010

Box Score

FAIRFAX, Va. - George Mason won a crucial five-set EIVA Tait Division men's volleyball match against the Saint Francis (Pa.) Red Flash on Wednesday evening at the RAC Gym. Final set scores were 30-26, 30-18, 20-30, 25-30 and 15-10.

The win improves the Patriots' record to 6-16 overall and 3-4 in conference matches with three EIVA Tait Division opponents remaining on the regular season schedule. Mason's second win over Saint Francis (Pa.) drops the Red Flash to 11-12 overall and 4-6 against EIVA Tait Division opponents. Tonight's win snapped a five-match losing streak for the Patriots.

In the final set, the two sides traded points until Mason's Joe Norton recorded consecutive kills to put the Patriots up 8-6. Mason never relinquished its lead on its way to a 15-10 victory.

The Patriots won the first two sets, hitting .348 and .355, respectively, as a team. The Red Flash stormed back to win the next two sets to force a deciding fifth set.

A balanced Patriot attack featured four players with at least 13 kills. Andrew Dentler led the team with 15. Eric Lucas had 14 kills and 19 digs for a double-double.

Jordan Varee recorded match highs of 24 kills and 20 digs in a losing effort. Nick Rivett (22) and Pete Freyer (16) both reached double figures in kills for the Red Flash.

George Mason returns to action on Saturday, April 10 at 4 p.m. against Juniata at The RAC. The match will be the annual Uvaldo Acosta Memorial Match.