The George Mason men's volleyball stayed unbeaten at home and won their Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association opener on Friday night, as Mason leveled Springfield, 25-20, 25-21, 25-16. The Pride, the top Division III team in the nation in the most recent AVCA coaches poll, hit just .138 while Mason hit .303 in the contest.

Mark Jones had 16 kills while hitting .414, Brandon Joyner had 31 assists and four different players had at least five digs as Mason improved to 4-1 on the year. The lone loss was a road defeat at No. 10 Ohio State. Springfield was led by Mike Pelletier's eight kills while Mike Becker had 27 assists and Nick Ferry had seven digs.

In the first set, the Patriots twice were able to take three-point leads only for the Pride to call timeout and rally. With the score tied at 19-19, Mason got a side out on a Max McFarland kill. The sophomore proceeded to served the next five points to put the Patriots ahead, 24-20 and Mason wrapped up the set on an Eric Lucas kill.

The second set saw Mason in control early as the Patriots built a four-point lead and were ahead 15-11 before the Pride ran off four straight to tie the match and prompt a Mason timeout. Once again the set was tied at 19-19 when Mason earned a side out and McFarland stepped to the service line. This time he managed to put Mason ahead 21-19 but that was all the edge the Patriots needed as they won four of the next six points to take the second set.

There was no giving up the lead in the final set. Mason jumped out to a 10-5 advantage and held at least a three-point lead the rest of the way. The Patriots pushed it to 21-14 before closing out the match behind Eric Lucas' serve.

The Patriots return to action on Saturday when they host Sacred Heart at 7 p.m.