WHEN: Friday and Saturday
WHERE: Recreation Athletic Complex (RAC)
OPPONENTS: CAMPBELL – Friday 7 p.m.; PENN – Saturday 11:30 p.m.; CENTRAL MICHIGAN – Saturday 7 p.m. - Full Tournament Schedule
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LIVE STATS
A-10 NETWORK STREAM
FAIRFAX, Va. – After opening the 2017 regular season in Georgia, the George Mason women's volleyball team plays host to the George Mason Invitational, presented by Maggiano's Little Italy, Friday and Saturday at the RAC. The Patriots will face Campbell on Friday at 7 p.m. followed by a Saturday doubleheader against Penn and Central Michigan scheduled for 11:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. respectively. All George Mason games can be streamed on the A-10 Digital Network.
In the all-time series history, Mason has little to no history with its opponents. The Patriots enjoy a 2-0 all-time record against Campbell while posting a 1-1 record against Central Michigan. This will be the first time George Mason and Penn have squared off.
NEWS AND NOTES
- Senior setter Kelly Schaller registered 124 assists last weekend for an average of 9.54 assists per set. Schaller's assist total checked in as first among participating players in the Benson Hospitality Invitational en route to earning her an All-Tournament selection.
- Junior libero Catie Espinoza tallied 54 digs over the weekend for an average of 4.08 digs per set. Espinoza is 34 digs away from 600 for her career.
- Sophomore outsider hitters Bailey Williams and Mikala Wells share the team lead in kills at 33. Williams currently has an average of 3.67 kills per set while Wells' is 2.54. Additionally, Williams is two kills shy of 200 for her career.
- Junior middle blocker Pihla Jarvenpaa made her Mason debut over the weekend, showing versatility by contributing in multiple facets of the game. Her weekend numbers include assisting with 12 blocks (team high), notching four service aces (team high) and 18 kills (T-5th on team) while appearing in 13 sets.
THE OPPONENTS
Campbell Camels – 2017 Record: 3-0 (0-0 Big South)
The Camels took care of business last weekend in the Hampton Inn Holly Springs Invitational winning all three of their matches and only needing 10 sets to do so. A noteworthy trend included Campbell recording 22 service aces (2.2 aces per set) and only allowing seven.
Additionally, senior libero Kayla Schanback was named Big South Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week, posting 5.4 digs per set and surpassing 1,000 career digs in the process.
Penn Quakers – 2017 Record: 0-0 (0-0 AAC)
The George Mason Invitational will serve as the Quakers opening weekend for the regular season. The Quakers boast a brand-new coaching staff led by head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley, a former player at Penn State and 1999 national champion with the Nittany Lions. Penn's veteran roster includes six seniors including setter Sydney Morton (808 assists in 2016) and middle blocker Kendall Covington (54 blocks in 2016).
Central Mich. Chippewas – 2017 Record: 3-0 (0-0 MAC)
The Chippewas won all their matches in the Army Invitational and own a 3-0 record entering this weekend. The Chippewa attack is led by Jordan Bueter, who compiled 50 kills at 4.17 kills per set. Bueter will be the one getting the majority of the chances as last weekend her total attempts was 155 - a 12.92 attacks per set average that ranks 17th in NCAA Division 1.
