WHEN: Friday and Saturday
WHERE: Recreation Athletic Complex (RAC)
OPPONENTS:
- CHARLOTTE - Friday, 7:00 p.m. [Mason Athletics Game of the Week - Free Nationals tickets to all Mason students with valid ID (while supplies last)]
- HAMPTON – Saturday, 11:00 a.m.
- LOYOLA – Saturday 7:00 p.m.
QUICK FACTS -
INFORMATION GUIDE
SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook |
Twitter |
Instagram
TICKETS
LIVE STATS
TV STREAM:
A-10 Network Stream
FAIRFAX, Va. - To wrap up non-conference play, George Mason women's volleyball will welcome three teams to the RAC for this weekend's George Mason Classic. The Patriots will face off against Charlotte (9/15 at 7 p.m.), Hampton (9/16 at 11 a.m.) and Loyola (9/16 at 7 p.m.).
Historically in all three matchups, one team is undefeated against the other. Mason enjoys great prior success against Loyola, checking in at 11-0 including a 3-0 victory in last year's George Mason Invite. This will only be the second time Hampton and George Mason have squared off with the first being in last year's George Mason Invite, a match Mason also won 3-0. However the Patriots are currently 0-3 against Charlotte with their last match coming in 2010.
NEWS AND NOTES
- Sophomore outside hitter Bailey Williams has been the go-to attacker thus far in 2017. Coming off a 15 point performance against Lafayette (eight kills, five service aces and four blocks), Williams enters Friday's match one point shy of 100 on the season and 13 kills shy of 300 for her career. Williams is also ninth in the Atlantic 10 in kills and kills per set (82, 2.93 k/s).
- Following an All-Tournament selection last weekend, sophomore Mikala Wells looks to build off her stellar performance where she averaged 3.22 kills per set. Wells is currently second on the Patriots season totals in both kills (79) and kills per set (2.72).
- Senior middle blocker Sydney Fanoga made her debut last weekend and immediately made an impact. Her 11 kills led the Patriots in their victory over Lafayette and will look to reach 500 career kills this weekend, as she needs 12 to do so. Fanoga could also reach 300 career blocks and 700 career points this weekend, currently having 273 and 680 respectively.
- Mason boasts two setters who crack the top-10 in Atlantic 10 assist leaders. Senior Kelly Schaller is fourth at 8.80 assists per set and freshman Emily Konchan is 10th at 5.90 assists per set.
- Last time out Mason went 1-2 in the Towson Invitational, but finished on a high note defeating Lafayette 3-0. Sophomore middle blocker Katrina Santos had a career day notching 10 kills and also led all players with a .381 attack percentage (minimum 10 attempts).
THE OPPONENTS
Charlotte 49ers | 10-3 (0-0 Conference USA)
The 49ers are red-hot entering this weekend, winners of seven straight including a stretch of four matches in a row won in straight sets. A large reason for their success has been their net-front presence, leading the nation in total blocks with 156, as well as their digs total (843) ranking third in the nation. Players to watch include Yumi Garcia who leads all Division 1 players in digs (288) and ranks 15th nationally in digs per set (5.65)
Hampton Pirates | 2-8 (0-0 MEAC)
After stumbling out of the gates to begin the season, Hampton rebounded last weekend going 2-2, including most recently a 3-1 victory over The Citadel. The Pirates attack is led by Reeana Washington, who leads the team with 2.74 kills per set. Additionally, Kyndall Nicholas is a key player to watch as she's compiled 1.16 blocks per set - good for second in the MEAC.
Loyola Greyhounds | 5-5 (0-0 Patriot League)
Loyola checks in with a 5-5 record and has many of its key 2016 players back again for 2017. Such players include last year's leaders in kills (Ann Ernst) and blocks (Haley Puddy), as well as setter Molly Werts and libero Erin Cunningham. Ernst has picked up right where she left off from last year leading the team in kills per set at 3.66. That mark currently sits at third in the Patriot League.
For tickets to Mason home volleyball matches call (703) 993-3270
