Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

• George Mason swept Presbyterian 3-0 for its first win of 2017.
• Kelly Schaller named All-Tournament after finishing with 124 assists, good for 9.54 assists per set.
• Bailey Williams led the Mason attack in both games finishing with 13 and 14 kills respectively.

 
FINAL SCORE: Mason 1, LIU Brooklyn 3 (Box Score)
Bailey Williams – 13 kills; Kelly Schaller – 41 assists (match high); Catie Espinoza – 12 digs.
 
FINAL SCORE: Mason 3, Presbyterian 0 (Box Score)
Bailey Williams – 14 kills (match high); Kelly Schaller – 32 assists (match high); Catie Espinoza – 20 digs (match high).
 
ATHENS, Ga. – Following an 0-2 start to the season, George Mason looked to bounce back and finish the Benson Hospitality Challenge on a high note Saturday. After dropping its first match to LIU Brooklyn 3-1, the Patriots did exactly that by sweeping the Presbyterian Blue Hose in a match where the Patriots were in control from start to finish.
 
"Today was a good day for the program. We built on the momentum from yesterday to play a very competitive match versus LIU Brooklyn before putting it all together against Presbyterian," head coach Aylene Ilkson said. "I think the team is adjusting to the things the coaching staff is asking of them and we are all looking forward to getting back to work and hopefully having a successful week back in Fairfax."
 
The Patriots got off to a fast start in the first set against Presbyterian jumping out to a 6-1 lead and were in control through the first set, winning 25-18. The Patriots logged three service aces in the first set, coming from Kelly Schaller, Mikala Wells and Emily Konchan.
 
While down 16-14 a little over halfway through set number two, head coach Aylene Ilkson called a timeout and there was no stopping the Patriots after that. Mason took over by scoring 11 of the next 16 points to win set two, highlighted by an 8-0 run. During that stretch Mason had multiple players involved getting kills from Bailey Williams, Pihla Jarvenpaa and Wells as well as a service ace from Catie Espinoza.
 
Not wanting to allow the Blue Hose to get back in the game, the Patriots kept their foot on the gas pedal and finished them off in the third set, winning 25-14. After being deadlocked at 7-7, the Patriots went on an 18-5 run highlighted by Williams' five third set kills. Williams finished the match 14.5 points, and 29.5 in both games combined on Saturday.
 
In the morning match against LIU Brooklyn, the Patriots faced a two sets to none deficit but wouldn't go down without a fight. Bailey Williams had five kills in the set number three, which was instrumental to the Patriots third set victory, but they were ultimately outlasted 3-1 in the match. Sophomore middle blocker Katrina Santos recorded a career best nine kills in the match.
 
The Patriots will host the George Mason Invitational at the Recreation Athletic Complex next weekend as their default home opener. Their first match is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 1 against Campbell at 7 p.m. For tickets call 703-993-3270.
 
NOTABLE STATS

• The Patriots tallied six services aces in the afternoon match compared to the Blue Hose's one.
• George Mason recorded more digs than its opponent in both matches, out-digging LIU Brooklyn and Presbyterian 56-54 and 67-61 respectively.
• Mason out-blocked Presbyterian 7-3 and tied LIU Brooklyn in that department with eight a piece.