FAIRFAX, Va. - Sophomore Lana Zonjic slammed a match-high 13 kills as the
George Mason women's volleyball team defeated the High Point Panthers in
straight sets, 25-21, 25-22, 25-17. The victory concluded the 2011 Patriot
Invitational and after finishing 3-0 on the weekend, the Patriots (3-2)
captured the tournament title.
Zonjic was named the tournament MVP after she tallied 38
kills in the three matches. Joining her on the all-tournament team was senior
Kelly McCarter, while sophomore Tori Price and junior Danielle Cook were
recognized as the best setter and hitter of the tournament, respectively.
Meanwhile, senior Noelle Fanella led the Patriots against the
Panthers with 12 digs and added nine kills. McCarter tallied 11 digs along with
three aces. Courtney Johnk hit 12 kills to pace the Panthers.
The first set was a close affair, with the margin never
growing beyond three points, until the Patriots mounted a 6-0 run to overcome a
19-18 deficit. On the third set point, Zonjic's kill gave Mason a 1-0 set
advantage.
Mason never trailed in the second set, though HPU would get
as close as one both early and late. The Patriots were up 23-20 before a pair
of High Point points cut it to one. Price slammed a kill to make it 24-22, and
a block by senior Kelsey Bohman and sophomore Laura Spencer was the final point
to make it a two-set lead.
The Patriots quickly took control of the third set, opening
with a 10-2 run and after the Panthers got within five at 16-11, Mason rattled
off six straight to expand its lead to 11. HPU cut it to seven facing match
point, but at 24-17, Cook's kill sealed the victory.
Mason will next head to the Bluegrass State, heading to
Morehead, Ky., to participate in the MSU Comfort Inn and Suites Invitational.
The Patriots will face Western Michigan and Appalachian State along with host
Morehead State beginning Friday at 1 p.m. against WMU.
2011 Patriot
Invitational All Tournament Team
Lana Zonjic, George Mason (MVP)
Kelly McCarter, George Mason
Carolyn Ewert, Navy
Ariel Newman, UNC Greensboro
Tori Price, George Mason (Best Setter)
Danielle Cook, George Mason (Best Hitter)
Breanna Holliday, High Point (Best Defensive Player)
