The Patriots return from a week off with a trip to the West Coast to face
two ranked opponents in No. 2 USC and No. 7 Pepperdine. Mason last took to the
court on March 10, sweeping Princeton at the RAC, 3-0. During the match, junior
outside hitter Michael Kvidahl set a school record with 10 service aces.
As a team the Patriots currently rank seventh in the country with an
average of 2.82 blocks/set, led by junior middle blocker Piotr Dabrowski who
stands fourth in the nation and first in the conference with an average of 1.53
blocks/set.
Individually, junior outside hitter Mark Jones paces the team with 3.28
kills/set, and redshirt freshman Pete Cuppernull has a team-high 9.20
assists/set.
MASON (7-11) at No. 2 USC
(15-4)
When: Friday, 10 p.m.
Where: North Gym, Los Angeles,
Calif.
Live Stats: Click Here
Live Audio: Click Here
USC is 15-4 on the season and in the midst of a 10-game winning streak
dating back to February 10. The two teams last met in 2008, with the Trojans
escaping with the closely-contested 3-2 decision.
As a team USC ranks nationally in several categories, including
blocks/set (3.20, 2nd), assists/set (12.07, 8th), hitting
percentage (.293, 9th) and kills/set (12.87, 10th).
Individually several Trojans also find themselves in the top-10 of
national statistical rankings. Freshman middle blocker Robert Feathers leads
the country, putting up an average of 1.64 blocks/set, senior outside hitter
Tony Ciarelli stands third with 4.00 kills/set, and setter Micah Christenson is
sixth nationally with an average of 11.03 assists/set.
MASON (7-11) at No. 7
PEPPERDINE (11-10)
When: Saturday, 10 p.m.
Where: Firestone Fieldhouse,
Malibu, Calif.
Live Stats: Click Here
Live Video: Click Here
The Patriots and Waves last faced each other in 2009, with Pepperdine
earning the 3-0 sweep. Pepperdine is 11-10 overall this season, and is coming
off of a 3-0 loss to UCLA last Friday.
The Waves pose a strong offensive threat, ranking in the top-10
nationally in three categories: 4th in assists/game (12.45), seventh
in kills/set (12.92) and eighth in hitting percentage (.295). Freshman setter
Matt West ranks second in the nation with 11.47 assists/game, while junior
opposite Maurice Torres is third nationally, registering 4.00 kills/set.
