- Mason won its fourth straight match to improve to 7-1 overall and 2-0 in EIVA.
- Hayden Wagner led all hitters with 17 kills on a .467 clip.
- Mason hit a season-high .450 in the match compared to Coker's .268 clip.
FINAL: No. 13 Mason 3, Coker 0 (PDF Box Score)
Wagner – 17 kills; Coleman – 34 assists; Coleman – 7 digs
FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason men's volleyball team earned its second consecutive sweep, defeating Coker College on Friday night. The Patriots win its fourth straight match and improve to 7-1 overall.
"I thought our execution in games one and two was pretty high and solid," said head coach
Jay Hosack. "In game three, they got a couple points early on us. I like the way our guys dug in and finished the match out. We're looking forward to our matches next week."
The Patriots hit a season-high .450 in the match behind senior
Justin Coleman's 34 assists. On defense, Mason outblocked the Cobras 8.5 to two with juniors
Hayden Wagner and
Bryce Gatling each registering five blocks. Freshmen
Trevor Kennan earned the start at the libero position, sharing the role with junior
Christopher Allen in the match.
Mason started the match on a 5-2 run including two blocks by Wagner, Gatling and
Sam Greenslade. The Patriots went on to tab four blocks in the set with Wagner and Gatling each notching three. Offensively, senior
Kyle Barnes recorded four kills on a .800 clip while Wagner registered five kills. A late 8-2 run by the Patriots opened up its lead, 22-15, allowing Mason to claim the first set, 25-18.
In the second set of play, redshirt freshman
Mike Kapusta made his Patriot debut. The outside hitter made a direct impact behind the service line, allowing Mason to go on a 3-0 run to open the set. The Patriots proved to be unstoppable on offense in the set, hitting a set-high .500 with no attacking errors. In addition, Mason tabbed four of its seven services aces in the set including two from Barnes. The Green & Gold went on to take the second set, 25-10.
The third and final set saw a battle between the two teams in the early stages to find the set tied 10 all. However, shorts runs by Coker gave them a 18-15 lead. That is when Wagner took control of the set, helping Mason claim a 26-25 lead. The third and final set would ultimately be decided in extra points. A triple block by
Aaron Cymbor, Wagner and Barnes gave Mason the set win, 27-25. Wagner collected 10 of his 17 kills in the final set.
NOTABLE STATS
- Mason tabbed seven service aces including three from Coleman.
- Wagner and Gatling each tabbed five blocks to help Mason hold a 8.5 to two advantage in blocks.
- Several Patriots made their 2019 season debut in the match: Allen, Cymbor and Kapusta.
- Barnes recorded his 500th career kill as a Patriot after his 11-kill effort against the Cobras.
UP NEXT
Mason begins a four-game road stretch in Indiana with matches at Purdue Fort Wayne (Feb. 9) and #11 Ball State (Feb. 10).
