WHEN: Friday, Sept. 21 and Saturday, Sept. 22
 
WHERE: Recreation Athletic Complex
 
OPPONENTS: Dayton – Friday, 7 p.m.; Saint Louis – Saturday, 7 p.m.
 
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LIVE STATS
 
ESPN+: FRIDAY – SATURDAY
 
Fairfax, Va. – George Mason University women's volleyball team will continue its six-game homestand on Friday and Saturday with its first two conference opponents of the season. The Patriots will host the Dayton Flyers at 7 p.m. on Friday, followed by the Saint Louis Billikens at 7 p.m. on Saturday. Both matches will be held at the RAC.
 
Mason wrapped up non-conference play last weekend with a 3-1 loss to Lehigh. The Patriots look to start Atlantic 10 competition with a new slate. 
 
"I told the team we're 0-0 now," said coach Aylene Ilkson after Friday night's loss to Lehigh. "It's Atlantic 10 time and that's all that matters for us."
  

NEWS AND NOTES
 

• This will be the only time Mason sees Dayton and Saint Louis in the regular season. 
• Dayton leads the all-time series 9-0 while Saint Louis holds an 8-0 advantage over Mason.
• Emily Konchan collected 41 assists against Lehigh to put her at 8.39 assists per set – good for sixth in the Atlantic 10.
• George Mason recorded five service aces against Lehigh to put them first in the Atlantic 10 with 1.38 service aces per set. 
• Mason clinched the opening set against Lehigh for its fifth opening-set victory of the season. 
• Heading into Atlantic 10 play, Mason is averaging 10.70 kills per set, 10.14 assists per set and 13.46 digs per set.

 
THE OPPONENTS
 
Dayton Flyers: 9-4 (0-0 Atlantic 10)
 
The Flyers are on a four-game winning streak, including victories over Tennessee, Evansville and Ohio State this past weekend at the Flyer Invitational. Three of Dayton's four losses came against ranked opponents in non-conference play – No. 16 Kentucky (3-0), No. 12 Washington (3-2) and No. 13 Pittsburgh (3-1).
 
Dayton was picked to finish second in the Atlantic 10 preseason poll. Last season, the Flyers finished second in the conference after losing to VCU in the Atlantic 10 Championships. The Patriots faced the Flyers twice last season, falling to Dayton 3-0 on both occasions. 
 
Since Mason joined the conference in 2013, the Flyers have won three of the last five Atlantic 10 Championship titles. 
 
Saint Louis Billikens: 1-11 (0-0 Atlantic 10)
 
The Billikens are currently on a five-game losing streak with its only win coming against Central Michigan. Saint Louis dropped all three matches at the Billiken Invitational last weekend to UMKC, Murray State and UNLV.
 
The Billikens are projected to finish third in the Atlantic 10. Saint Louis finished third in the conference last year after posting an A-10 record of 10-4. Mason fell to Saint Louis twice last fall, both in straight sets. 
 
 
NON-CONFERENCE LOOK BACK
 
With Atlantic 10 play starting this weekend, take a look at highlights from the Patriots' non-conference matches this season. Moments include wins over Penn and Norfolk State, Catie Espinoza moving into a tie for third in all-time career digs and several All-Tournament Team nods. 
 
Click here to see all non-conference highlights.