WHEN: Saturday and Sunday
WHERE: Pittsburgh, Pa. (Saturday) and Philadelphia, Pa. (Sunday)
OPPONENTS:
- Duquesne - Saturday, 1 p.m.
- All-Time Series Record: Mason leads 7-3
- La Salle - Sunday, 4 p.m.
- All-Time Series Record: Mason leads 6-1
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LIVE STATS
TV STREAM: A-10 Network Stream
FAIRFAX, Va. - With non-conference play in the rear-view mirror, the George Mason women's volleyball team's focus has shifted to getting off to a good start in Atlantic 10 play - an opportunity that presents itself with two road matches up in Pennsylvania against the Duquesne Dukes and the La Salle Explorers. First serve against the Dukes is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday then the Patriots will head across the state for the next day's match against the Explorers, scheduled for 4 p.m.
NEWS AND NOTES
- The Patriots are currently on a two-match winning streak. A win Saturday would give them their first three-match win streak since the end of last season, and a win on both Saturday and Sunday would give the Patriots their first four-match win streak since Sept. 17-24, 2011.
- Junior libero Catie Espinoza checks in at fourth in the A-10 in digs per set (4.47). Her 24 digs against Loyola last weekend was a season high for her.
- Since Sept. 9, sophomore middle blocker Katrina Santos is averaging 2.44 kills per set and 0.56 blocks per set. Her kill average is good for third on the team in that span and her block average is good for fourth.
- Senior middle blocker Sydney Fanoga is three kills shy of 500 for her career. She is also eight points shy of 700 for her career, and has been averaging 2.37 points per set so far in 2017.
- Freshman setter Emily Konchan is climbing the rankings among A-10 assist leaders. Her 7.28 assist per set average now ranks sixth in the conference, jumping from ninth since last week.
THE OPPONENTS
Duquesne Dukes | 5-9 (0-0 A-10)
The Dukes are anchored by the trio of outside hitter Maria Mosbacher, setter Dani Suiter and libero Camyrn Vecera. Mosbacher is fourth in the A-10 in kills per set (3.48), Suiter is third in the A-10 in assists per set (9.88) and Vecera is second in the A-10 in digs per set (4.78) Suiter's total assists number (494) is ranked 34th in the nation. The last time the two teams faced each other was the last time a Patriot posted 20+ kills when
Tiffany Clarke tallied 23 in Mason's five-set victory.
La Salle Explorers | 9-6 (0-0 A-10)
The Explorers enter the weekend with the third best winning percentage in the A-10 and a 9-6 record. Despite getting off to a 9-3 start, La Salle has lost its last three matches so they will certainly be looking to get back on track. An x-factor in this match will be how well Mason can return La Salle's serves. The Explorers are second in the nation in total team service aces with 105, and boast freshman defensive specialist Alyssa Cianciulli who is tied for the national lead in service aces with 32.
Additionally, freshman outside hitter Samantha Graver has already taken home two A-10 rookie of the week honors. She leads the team in kills per set at 3.48.
