No. 11 MASON (2-1, 0-0 EIVA) at Charleston (W.Va.) (0-0, 0-0 EIVA)
WHEN: 7 p.m. EST, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017
WHERE: Wehrle Innovation Center, Charleston, W.V.
SERIES RECORD: Mason leads series 3-0
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CHARLESTON, W.V. – George Mason University's men's volleyball team will open Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association play on Thursday, when it visits the conference's newest member Charleston (W.V.)

This will be Mason's fourth match in seven days and comes only 48 hours after the Patriots fell to No. 1 Ohio State. Head coach Jay Hosack's team put up quite the fight in Columbus and matched the national champion's defensive efforts, but the Buckeyes' attacking power was the decisive factor.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT

Unlike Mason, which played three non-conference matches before its EIVA opener, Thursday's contest will be Charleston's season opener as well. The Golden Eagles begin their second season in the conference and will be highly motivated to improve on last season's winless campaign. Charleston recorded four wins during 2016, all of which came away from home. Out of three previous meetings, the Patriots have traveled to West Virginia twice and have not yet lost a set.

Led by new head coach Ken Murczek, on Thursday the Golden Eagles will get their 2017 campaign underway with four incoming freshmen. In addition, the team returns its leading scorers from last season – Bahamas-born duo Eugene Stuart (166 kills) and Rajahl Moxey (162 kills) and Ryan Santos (152 kills). On the other hand, Charleston lost its libero Indy Nenn (2.31 digs/set). Transfer sophomore Bryant Ekstein will be an additional reinforcement in the Golden Eagles' lineup after averaging 0.96 kills and 0.35 blocks per set at Mason in his freshman season.