FAIRFAX, Va. - In its first Atlantic 10 Conference matchup against longtime rival VCU, the George Mason women's volleyball team forced a fifth set but could not topple the Rams, falling 3-2 on Friday night at the RAC. Set scores were 27-25, 17-25, 27-25, 22-25, 15-12. Mason dropped to 1-3 in A-10 play and 5-13 overall, while the Rams (17-4, 5-0) kept their conference unbeaten record intact.

Sophomore Morghan Martin and freshman Jessie Greenslade each contributed double-doubles while senior Lana Zonjic, returning to play after a hand injury, led all players with 17 kills. Freshman Bernetta Moore also had a match-high with 15 digs, as did senior Tori Price with 48 assists. Romana Kriskova led the Rams with 16 kills.

An even opening to the match gave way to a 20-12 Patriot lead in the first set, but the Rams rallied to tie the score at 22.   VCU had first crack at set point, but kills by Martin and Greenslade swung the scoreboard in favor of Mason. The Patriots could not hold, as a serving error was followed by back-to-back VCU blocks to end the set.

Mason again broke open the scoreboard in the second set, though it came at the tail end of the frame. Leading 18-16, the Patriots closed out the set on a 7-1 run to even the match heading into intermission. VCU jumped out to a 7-2 lead to begin the third set and led until a Zonjic kill tied the score at 16-1ll. It stayed within one point from then on, until a Kriskova ace and a Rams blocked made it 2-1.

The Patriots fell behind early in the fourth set but rebounded, and took control for good with the score tied 15-all. The Rams closed to 24-22 after trailing by as many as six, but Martin slammed a kill on a feed from Price to force the deciding fifth set.

It was all Rams early in the final set, opening on an 8-2 run.  Mason ralled with a 9-4 run of its own to close to within a point at 12-11. A Rams kill made it 13-11 and forced the Patriots final timeout, which was followed by a Laura Spencer kill. VCU answered, though, holding off the Patriots' comeback effort to take the win.

Mason is back in action tomorrow evening, facing La Salle at 5 p.m.