WASHINGTON, D.C. - Senior Noelle Fanella led a trio of Patriots in double-figure kills, but the George Washington Colonials defended their home court successfully on Saturday as they defeated the George Mason women's volleyball team, 3-1, at the Smith Center. Set scores were 23-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-20.

GW improved to 2-0 in their final match of the weather-shortened D.C. Volleyball Challenge, while the Patriots dropped to 0-2 on the season.

Fanella earned her first double-double of the year with a team-high 15 kills while adding 15 digs, and sophomore Tori Price also posted a double-double with 38 assists and 14 digs. Joining Fanella with double digit kills were sophomores Lana Zonjic and Laura Spencer who each chipped in 10. Seniors Kelly McCarter and Kelsey Bohman each had team highs with 21 digs and seven blocks respectively, the latter a match high.

The Colonials were led by 22 kills from Lauren Whyte in a double-double performance, while Rachael Goss and Taylor Knox added 13 and 12 kills each.

Mason jumped out to an early lead at 4-1, and despite six tie scores, the Patriots led for much of the set, eventually holding on for the win. Zonjic, Bohman and Spencer each had three kills in the set while Mason controlled the net with a 5-to-1 blocking advantage. The second set was a much tighter affair, with 11 tie scores and four lead changes. The Patriots cut the GW lead to 19-17 before the Colonials pushed their advantage to five points with three straight points, and held on to even the match at one set apiece. GW would go on to take the final two sets and earn the victory.

After Mason's scheduled match against American was postponed from this afternoon to September 14, the Patriots will next be back in action when they host the annual Patriot Invitational next weekend. Mason welcomes Navy, High Point and UNC Greensboro to the RAC beginning Saturday at 11 a.m., with four matches scheduled before the tournament concludes on Sunday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.