- The Patriots won their season opener for the third straight year with a sweep over Queens on Friday night.
- Redshirt senior Langston Payne tabbed nine kills on a .818 hitting percentage while junior Hayden Wagner tallied nine kills and six blocks in the victory.
- Freshmen Trevor Kennan and Richie Hoff earned the start in their first career game as Patriots.
FINAL: Mason 3, Queens 0 (PDF Box Score)
Payne and Wagner – nine kills; Luis Velez – 26 assists; Trevor Kennan – 11 digs
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The George Mason men's volleyball team opened the 2019 season in commanding fashion with a sweep over Queens University of Charlotte on Friday night.
The Patriots won its season opener for the third straight season. In addition, this is the third straight year Mason has opened the season with a sweep of its opponent.
"I am really happy with the level of play for the start of the season," said head coach
Jay Hosack. "We executed the game plan perfectly, and our team benefited from that performance."
In the opening set of play, a five-point run capped off by a
Sam Greenslade kill pushed Mason out to a 13-8 lead. Back-back-kills by Payne and Wagner contributed to another four-point run for the Green & Gold, extending its lead 19-11. The Patriots closed out the set with three-straight points, winning 25-16.
The second set saw a tight game between the two teams until Mason went on a 13-1 run. Back-to-back blocks by Wagner and redshirt sophomore
Jack Reese was a key, solidifying moment for the Patriots' defense during the run. The Royals had no answer for the Patriots in the second set, allowing Mason to end the set on a 6-2 run to win 25-12.
In the final set of play, Mason continued to dominant, jumping out to an early 9-4 lead. Junior
Bryce Gatling made his 2019 season debut in the set, contributing two kills and a block. Later in the set, Payne tabbed back-to-back blocks with the help of redshirt sophomore Velez. Ultimately, the Patriots won the set 25-11 to claim the match in straight sets.
NOTABLE STATS
- Mason's offense was unstoppable, collecting 47.5 points, 33 kills and four service aces.
- Wagner and Reese tabbed six and five blocks, respectively, to give Mason the defensive advantage over Queens, 10 to five blocks.
- Mason had its highest hitting percentage (.455) in the third set after tallying 11 kills with only one error.
UP NEXT
The Patriots continue opening weekend of play at Barton College tomorrow night at 7 in Wilson Gymnasium.
