WHEN: Friday, Aug. 31- Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018
 
WHERE: McDonough Arena (Georgetown University)
 
OPPONENTS: Penn – Friday, 10 a.m.; Georgetown and Norfolk State – Saturday, noon and 4 p.m.
 
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FAIRFAX, Va.– George Mason University women's volleyball team will participate in its first tournament of the season this weekend at Georgetown. The Patriots will play three games over the course of two days to round out the second week of non-conference play.  
 
The weekend will begin with a morning match between Mason and Penn at 10 a.m. on Friday. The Patriots and Quakers faced off last season during the Mason Invitational, resulting with a 3-0 victory for Penn. The Quakers hold a 5-2 all-time series record over the Patriots. 
 
Mason will then face host Georgetown on Saturday at noon. Georgetown currently leads the all-time series 19-14. The Green & Gold take on Norfolk State later that evening at 4 p.m. This will be the first matchup between the Patriots and Spartans in program history but not the last as Norfolk State will be back for the Mason Invitational on Sept. 14-15. 
 
NEWS AND NOTES
 

• In her first two starts of her collegiate career, freshman Siron Hardy led the Patriots in kills (18) and kills per set (2.57). Hardy also showed versatility for Mason, contributing a team-high 14 digs against Howard.
• Sophomore Emily Konchan continues to shine as setter, collecting 51 assists for 7.29 assists per set – good for ninth in the Atlantic 10. 
• Peyton Ehmke delivered as middle blocker for the Patriots in their home opener loss to Howard, tallying 12 kills and six blocks. The six blocks lifted a Patriot defense that failed to register one block in the first game of the season. 
• Senior libero Catie Espinoza is 23 digs away from breaking into Mason's top five all-time career digs list. So far this season, the libero has tabbed 14 digs for 2.00 digs per set. 

 
2017 CONFERENCE LOOK BACK
 
One of last season's highlights came during Atlantic 10 play when the Patriots secured the victory in three straight sets over Davidson. It was a historic night for Catie Espinoza as she reached a personal milestone of 900 career digs and 300 on the season. Espinoza now holds the program record for most recorded digs in the 25-point set era at 1,075 career digs.
 
THE OPPONENTS
 
Penn – 2017 Record: 12-11 (7-7 Ivy League)
 
Penn has yet to face any opponents for the 2018 season. The Quakers are coming off a 12-11 2017 season, finishing .500 in conference play. Sophomore Parker Jones led the Quakers offense with 3.87 points per set and 3.43 kills per set, while junior Caroline Furrer controlled the defensive effort with 3.45 digs per set.
 
Georgetown – 2018 Record: 2-2 (0-0 Big East)
 
Georgetown opened the 2018 season in the Hyatt Regency Invitational on Aug. 24-25. The Hoyas defeated Idaho State and Winthrop to go 2-2 on the weekend. Alyssa Sinnette leads the team with 63 total kills and 3.94 kills per set. 
 
Norfolk State – 2017 Record: 3-23 (0-12 MEAC)
 
Norfolk State has yet to play a game for the 2018 season. The Spartans finished the 2017 season 3-23 and winless in the MEAC. Norfolk State will look to sophomore outside hitter Taylor Eichelberger to lead the offense this season after the program lost four seniors and one freshman. Eichelberger finished last fall with 2.47 kills per set and 2.68 points per set.