MEN'S VOLLEYBALL VS. IPFW

When: Friday, 7 p.m.

Where: Recreation & Athletic Complex

Tickets: $5 for adults, $2 for youth and seniors, free for students

Records: Mason (0-0), IPFW (1-1)

Notes: The George Mason men's volleyball team kicks off its 2012 season against IPFW. Last year, the Patriots posted a 17-11 overall record, advancing to the semifinals of the EIVA Tournament before falling to Springfield. IPFW started its season with two matches against the University of Puerto Rico, splitting the meeting to stand at 1-1 overall early in its 2012 campaign.

MEN'S VOLLEYBALL VS. BALL STATE

When: Saturday, 7 p.m.

Where: Recreation & Athletic Complex

Tickets: $5 for adults, $2 for youth and seniors, free for students

Records: Mason (0-0), Ball State (0-0)

Notes: Mason and Ball State split the two meetings a season ago, with each team winning on its home court. Ball State will face St. Francis on Friday evening before traveling to Fairfax for Saturday's matchup.

2012 SEASON PREVIEW

As teams enter into a new season, there is always a level of excitement regarding the unknown, including how the team will fare during the regular season and a hope to enjoy success in postseason play.

And while 14th-year George Mason Men's Volleyball Head Coach Fred Chao has high expectations for his squad in 2012, he is approaching the achievement of those goals with careful caution.

"Our goals are the same as they've always been, but we're approaching this season with measured caution, taking the challenges week by week, rather than focusing on the end of the season. As long as we do our work week to week, we will be where we should be at the end," remarked Chao.

Although Mason lost two key players from its 2011 campaign to graduation, returning is a deep and talented roster ready to climb to the top of the EIVA and national spotlight. With a roster dominated by juniors, Chao is confident that group can use its talents and experience to help lead the team in critical match situations. 

"We have a large junior class that will see a lot of court time this season," said Chao. "With the quality of opponents we face this season, they will gain plenty of experience we can use to guide this team to success for the 2012 season and beyond."

One of those juniors is Mark Jones, who will look to grow on a successful sophomore campaign. During his 2011 campaign, Jones finished ranked second in the EIVA and fifth nationally with 424 kills (4.46 kills/set). He also ranked seventh in the nation averaging 0.34 service aces per set.

"I'm hopeful Mark will pick up where he left off last season and continue his strong play," noted Chao. "Plus this season he will have more pieces around him to help out."

The lone senior on the roster, Joe Norton will also vie for a spot with the outside hitters corps. Over three seasons at Mason, he has accumulated 165 sets played, 182 kills, 124 digs and 54 blocks.

"He's our only senior, and we're counting on him to play like one," stated Chao. "He's put in a lot of time doing offseason work on his own and it's paid off for him."

Another junior outside hitter on the roster, Patrick Maloney appeared in 20 of Mason's 28 matches a season ago, recording 67 kills, 53 digs and 25 blocks. Also competing for a spot at outside hitter from the class of 2013 are Max McFarland (63 sets played, 109 kills) and Michael Kvidahl (29 sets played, 80 kills).

"Kvidahl has a great serve that could score us lots of points, and McFarland is a great player who will bring skill and experience onto the court," remarked Chao.

Also adding in the mix is Andrew Dentler, who missed last season, and freshman Mitch Beal.

"Dentler saw a lot of matches for us as a sophomore, and after missing last season we hope he can step up and be a big factor for us again," said Chao.

In the opposite hitter role, sophomores Jonathan Lutz and Robbie Stoeckinger return from freshman campaigns that saw both players trying to find their roles with the Mason volleyball team. Stoeckinger appeared in just 11 sets, but recorded 19 kills, 12 digs and 18 blocks, while Lutz played just two sets.

"Both Lutz and Stoeckinger are very physical players, and I am looking for them to find their roll with the team," noted Chao.

Stepping in the libero roll, sophomores John Jepson and Dave Lucas will compete for playing time after sharing duties last season. Jepson appeared in 77 sets with 54 digs, while Lucas played in 69 sets with 126 digs.

"Both are competing for the spot on the court, which is benefiting both of them by improving their play at the position," remarked Chao.

The setting position will feature junior Javier Perez and redshirt freshman Pete Cuppernull. Perez continues to improve in the roll, while Cuppernull will compete for the first time for Mason after sitting out in 2011.

"Javier will be expected to take over for Joyner running the offense this season," said Chao. "And Pete is doing the work he needs to do to get himself more comfortable at running the system. I'm looking forward to him enjoying another year of good growth and development."

One of the biggest holes the Patriots will be looking to fill this season is defensively at the net, after losing its top two blockers from a season ago when the team ranked nationally with an average of 2.96 blocks per set. Graduating was Brandon Joyner, who finished second in the EIVA and eighth nationally with 1.17 blocks/set.

Missing this season with an injury is Shaun Sibley, who a season ago ranked tops in the conference and in the nation with an average of 1.53 blocks per set. But Chao is confident his players will be ready for the challenge.

One potential candidate is junior Piotr Dabrowski, who finished with an average of 0.94 blocks/set. He will be joined by Dom Edgley and Hunter Stevens, two freshman looking to make an immediate impact for the Patriots.

"Piotr adds great blocking at the net in addition to experience, while Hunter has made huge strides as a freshman and will continue to grow as we advance in the season," remarked Chao.

The 2012 Mason men's volleyball schedule features six ranked teams from a season ago, the defending national champion and two additional NCAA Tournament qualifiers.

The teams from the final AVCA Division I-II Top 15 poll include No. 1 and defending national champion Ohio State, No. 3 USC, No. 9 Penn State, No. 11 Pepperdine, No. 12 Loyola-Chicago and No. 13 Lewis. And while the schedule may look intimidating, Chao is confident in the ability of his squad to compete against top talent from across the country.

"This will be the toughest schedule I have coached," remarked Chao. "It will be tough both in the number of opponents as well as the quality of opponents.

"The schedule reflects our ability to be competitive on a national. We will have the opportunity to play against the best of all three men's volleyball conferences. This is the only real way to find out the competitive measure of our program."

The EIVA will also have a new look this season, converting from a two-division, 11 squad conference to a single division featuring eight teams. Members of the new EIVA include Mason, Harvard, NJIT, Penn State, Princeton, Rutgers-Newark, Sacred Heart and St. Francis.

Mason will take to the court for the first time in 2012 on January 13, playing host to IPFW at 7:00 pm.