MALIBU, California – The George Mason men's volleyball team falls to first-ranked Pepperdine in a closely contested four-set match.  The Patriots move to 0-2, while Pepperdine goes to 4-0 on the season.  This was the second of a four-match road trip to California for the Green and Gold.

Jack Wilson, Paco Velez, and Radoslav Popov led Mason with 14 kills each and combined for 18 digs on defense.  Freshman Brian Negron provided 45 assists in just his second performance in the Green and Gold.  The lone senior on the team, Hunter Stevens, finished the match with a match-best six blocks. 

The first three sets in the match were decided by just two points.  After going back and forth in the beginning of the first set, the Patriots eventually had set-point at 25-24 after a Popov kill.  However, the Waves were able to fight back and win the set 28-26.  In another close set, Pepperdine took the second set 25-23. 

After the Waves took an early 14-9 lead, the Patriots mounted a comeback and tied the third set at 23.  Two consecutive Popov kills won the third set for Mason 25-23.  Pepperdine started the fourth set off on fire, winning the first six points.  The Patriots were not able to recover as the Waves won the set and match 25-10.

Josh Taylor led Pepperdine with 17 kills on 30 attempts in the match.  Matt West provided 46 assists and 12 digs to help lead the Waves.

The Patriots take the court again on Tuesday, January 13 at 10:00 p.m. ET against CS Northridge.  After CSUN, Mason wraps up the California road trip against UC Irvine on Wednesday, January 14.