NEWARK, New Jersey – The George Mason men's volleyball team picks up another EIVA win against NJIT.  With the win, the Patriots remain in fourth place in the EIVA standings.

The Patriots won with set scores of 26-28, 25-20, 25-22 and 25-20.  With tonight's victory, the Green and Gold improve to 13-11 on the season, while NJIT drops to 8-15.

The first set was by far the most closely contested game of the entire match.  This set included nine tie scores and five lead changes.  After a kill by Rahpael Anthony, NJIT actually took a six-point lead (12-6).  However, the Patriots mounted a comeback thanks in part to a service ace from Christian Malias and a kill by Radoslav Popov (14-12).  The Patriot s fought all the way back and eventually had set point at 25-24.  However, the Highlanders stopped the Patriots comeback just short and eventually won the set 28-26.

After losing three out of the first four points, the Patriots came storming back to take a 12-7 lead in the second set thanks in part to two Popov kills.  The Green and Gold didn't look back from there and went on to win the set comfortably 25-20 after a clutch kill from senior, Jonathan Lutz.

The third set was all Mason again.  The Patriots grabbed a big lead at 17-11 after consecutive kills by Lutz.  The Highlanders mounted a comeback attempt and got back within two points of the Patriots.  However, Mason stopped the bid just short and went on to win the set 25-22.

The Green and Gold kept the momentum going into the fourth set.  The Patriots would eventually jump out to a comfortable lead at 17-12 after kills from Lutz and Paco Velez.  The Patriots didn't allow a comeback attempt this time and eventually won the set and match 25-20 after a final kill from Popov.

Paco Velez led the Patriot offense with a match-high 14 kills in the match.  Hunter Stevens (13), Radoslav Popov (13), and Jonathan Lutz (10) also had double digit kills.  Senior, Joe Heim dished out a match-best 46 assists.  Meanwhile, Dave Lucas led the defense with a team-best 11 digs.

Borecki Kajetan led the Highlanders with 16 kills.  Meanwhile, Zak Robben dished out a team-best 38 assists.  Borecki had a great overall game and also led the defense with 12 digs. 

Up next: The Patriots come home to host Ohio State at 4 p.m. on Sunday.  George Mason will be honoring the 1984 final four men's volleyball team on Sunday.