Fairfax, Va. – Despite the George Mason University men's volleyball team falling short of a win against top opposition in the first week of the season, the fine early season form of junior outside hitter Christian Malias did not go unnoticed and he was named EIVA Offensive Player of the Week.

The Orlando, Va. native was one of the two players who survived head coach Jay Hosack's lineup rotations against last week's No. 5 UCLA, No. 2 UCI and No. 1 BYU – all of which placed in the top four in Monday's updated American Volleyball Coaches Association poll – and played in all 10 sets over the week. In those, he registered team-high 38 kills, the most by any Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association player, and contributed five of Mason's seven aces.

Malias' performances peaked accordingly throughout the week and his best 16-kill, 3-ace performance against the top-ranked Cougars helped the Patriots earn their first set of the season in a dramatic 31-29 fashion.

The honor comes for the junior at the start of an important week for Mason, which faces No. 7 Ohio State and open EIVA play against Charleston (W.V.).