MASON (4-15, 0-6 A-10) vs George Washington (6-14, 0-6 A-10)
WHEN: 6 p.m., Friday, Oct. 14
WHERE: RAC Gym, Fairfax, Va.
ALL-TIME SERIES: George Washington leads series 27-8
LIVE STATS: GoMason.com
LIVE VIDEO: A-10 Digital Network
FAIRFAX, Va. – George Mason University's women's volleyball team will host George Washington on Friday night in a Revolutionary Rivalry chapter that will have the winner pull ahead of its bitter rival in the Atlantic 10 Conference.
Both teams will look to return to winning ways after registering losses to unhospitable VCU and Davidson teams in the most recent weekend of conference play. Mason was two points away from grabbing its first A-10 victory of the season against Davidson on Sunday, but a late run by the Wildcats allowed them to win the five-set marathon in North Carolina. As a consolation, the Patriots put in a phenomenal team defensive display to combine for a program-high 123 digs. Sophomore libero Catie Espinoza helped Mason shatter the previous record of 115 from 18 years ago with a career-high performance of 46 digs, which ranks her third in the nation. Freshman outside hitter Bailey Williams had three career-high performances in the same match by recording 17 kills, 17 digs, and four service aces on Sunday.
ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE NET
After losing to VCU and Davidson by the same scores as Mason, the Colonials made the short trip to Lehigh for a non-conference match on Tuesday. The 2015 Atlantic 10 Championship semi-finalist had a two-set lead over the Mountain Hawks in Bethlehem, Pa. but could not hold it and extended their losing streak to 10 matches. Nevertheless, the Colonials cherish a good memory from their last trip to Fairfax, when they spoiled Mason's Halloween with a sweep over the Patriots. Senior middle blocker Chidima Osuchukwu, who was named to the AVCA All-East First team after a fantastic junior season, is again the Colonials' main contributor in attack with a team-high 2.91 kills per set and 204 total kills so far. Osuchukwu is a wall at the net as well, picking up 23 of GW's 44 solo blocks in 2016 and assisting for 62 more to take credit for a total of 85 blocks, which is more than the following three best blockers combined. Senior defensive specialist Maddie Brown has been aiding her classmate Osuchukwu's defensive efforts with team-high 168 digs. She is followed by yet another senior, setter Emily Clemens, who has picked up 136 digs while also leading the Colonials with 592 assists.
