BRONXVILLE, NY – Paco Velez was named the EIVA Offensive Player of the Week and Hunter Stevens earned EIVA Defensive Player of the Week honors as the Patriots swept the EIVA weekly awards.

The Patriots (5-8) defeated Princeton and NJIT in four sets each on the road last weekend.  After the two EIVA wins, Mason is now receiving votes for the AVCA Top 15 Poll. 

Paco Velez played a huge part in the win over Princeton, after finishing with 21 kills and four service aces.  Velez also added 11 kills on a .346 attacking percentage in the match against NJIT on Saturday.  The opposite hitter played a part on defense as well, recording six total blocks and 12 digs.  Velez earned the Defensive Player of the Week three weeks ago.  The redshirt junior leads the Patriots with 124 kills, 24 aces, and 70 digs so far this season.

The lone senior on the team, Hunter Stevens played extremely well on defense in the two victories last weekend.  Stevens posted six blocks in each match to lead the Patriot defense.  Stevens leads the team with 36 total blocks, which ranks fifth in the EIVA.  The Newtown, Pa. native also helped out on offense, adding nine kills against Princeton and NJIT.  

The Patriots host an Alumni match against the current team at the RAC on Friday, March 6 at 7 p.m. On Saturday, March 7, Mason hosts Ohio State to start off a nine-match homestand.