FAIRFAX, Va. – For the first time this season, the George Mason men's volleyball team ranks in the Top-15 of the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) DI-DII Coaches Poll. The Patriots received 36 total points to rank No. 14 in the country, the AVCA announced Monday.

This is the first time the Patriots rank in the Top-15 since Feb. 13, 2017. Mason received votes in the first three polls this season: Dec. 6 (13), Jan. 7 (9), and Jan. 14 (11).

The Green & Gold defeated its first ranked opponent in Ohio State in four sets on Friday night (Jan. 18). The following night, the Patriots picked up their first conference win of the season over Charleston (W.Va.) to improve to 5-1 on the season.

Junior opposite hitter Hayden Wagner had impressive, efficient performances in both matches to earn Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) Offensive Player of the Week for the second straight week.

Against OSU, Wagner tallied 17 kills on a .303 clip with two blocks. Against Charleston, he hit a career-high .600 in the match with 19 kills on only one attacking error. He also contributed five blocks in the victory. So far this season, Wagner has 99 total kills for 4.50 kills per set, leading the EIVA.

Wagner was named Off the Block's Offensive Player of the Night after his performance against the Golden Eagles. This is Wagner's second EIVA Offensive Player of the Week honor of the season and fourth of his career.