MALIBU, California – The George Mason men's volleyball team falls to first-ranked Pepperdine in the first match of the season.  The Patriots came close, but Pepperdine took the match in three sets.  This was the first of a four-match road trip to California for the Green and Gold.

Jack Wilson led Mason with 12 kills on the night and added three digs on defense.  Meanwhile, freshman Brian Negron debuted for the Patriots and provided a team-high 26 assists.  Christian Malias and Paco Velez each had six digs to help the Patriot defense against the Waves.

The Patriots kept it close in the first set but ultimately fell 25-16.  The second set was an extremely closely-fought game that included a Mason game-point.  After a kill from Velez and an attacking error on Pepperdine, the Patriots lead 24-23, but then the Waves took three straight points to win the second set.  Pepperdine won the third set 25-19 in another close game to win the match.

Josh Taylor, a 2014 All-American, led Pepperdine with 12 kills on 23 attempts.  Matt West had a match-best 30 assists to help out on offense for the Waves.  Brennan Anderson led the Pepperdine defense with five digs in the match.

The Patriots take the court again at Pepperdine on Sunday, January 11 at 8 p.m. ET.  After Pepperdine, the Green and Gold stay in California to take on CS Northridge and UC Irvine.