FAIRFAX, Va. - In front of a raucous crowd, the George Mason women's volleyball team pushed the University of Delaware to the brink of defeat, but the defending Colonial Athletic Association champions were able to escape the RAC with a 3-2 victory over the Patriots Saturday evening at the RAC. Set scores were 25-19, 29-27, 23-25, 25-17, 16-14.

The loss drops the Patriots' record to 4-15, 2-4 in the CAA, while the Fightin' Blue Hens improved to 9-12 and 4-2 in conference.

Juniors Lana Zonjic and Tori Price continued to pace the Patriot offense, as each recorded a double-double. Zonjic poured in 22 kills along with 12 digs,  while Price had 54 assists along with 21 digs. Freshman Bernetta Moore led the team in the latter category with 31 digs, while Zonjic was joined in double-figure kill totals by senior Danielle Cook and freshman Meredith Bush, who chipped in 14 and 10, respectively. Leading a Patriot blocking effort which held a 13-7 advantage was Price, who posted seven blocks (one solo).

Four Blue Hens hit double-digit kills, led by  Alissa Alker who had 23 kills along with 16 digs. The Blue Hens held a .268-to-.205 advantage in hitting percentage.

After Delaware forced a fifth set to erase Mason's 2-1 lead, the teams were close in the tie-breaker until a 5-1 UD run gave them a 9-6 lead. The Patriots fought back with four in a row to regain the advantage, and after the Blue Hens tied the score at 12, a Zonjic kill and a bad UD set created the first match point opportunity. The Patriots, though, could not capitalize as three hitting errors combined with a Alker ace off the tape allowed the Blue Hens to come away with the victory.

The Patriots return to the road, where they will stay for the remainder of October, beginning with a trip to Atlanta in eight days. Mason will clash with Georgia State on Sunday, October 21 at 1 p.m.