- Mason earned its sixth sweep of the season with a win over NJIT on Friday night.
- The Patriots improve to 3-0 in EIVA play and 9-2 overall.
- Hayden Wagner recorded his tenth straight match with double-digit kills (13) to lead the Patriots.
FINAL: Mason 3, NJIT 0 (PDF Box Score)
Wagner – 13 kills; Coleman – 32 assists; Calaman – 11 digs
NEWARK, N.J. – No. 13 George Mason men's volleyball handled business on Friday night against EIVA foe NJIT, earning its sixth sweep of the season. The Patriots improve to 9-2 overall and 3-0 in EIVA play.
"Tonight, we transitioned really well," said head coach
Jay Hosack. "We created so many opportunities on defense, and we capitalized on them. Super proud of our boys and their work ethic tonight."
Offensively, the Patriots continued to feed hot hand junior
Hayden Wagner. The opposite hitter tabbed his tenth straight match with double figure kills (13k/.435pct). He also contributed two service aces and a team-high five blocks in the victory. Defensively, senior
Will Calaman weather NJIT's attack with 11 digs, while playing an important role to Mason's passing game.
In the opening set of play, both teams went back and forth with NJIT holding onto a slim 9-8 lead. That is when Mason went on an 8-0 scoring run behind senior
Justin Coleman's serving. NJIT never recovered from the scoring run as Mason went on to win the first set with ease, 25-14. Senior
Justin Coleman guided Mason to a set-best hitting percentage of .600.
Mason continued its strong start in the second set, taking an early 12-9 lead. However, five straight points for NJIT allowed the Highlanders to take their first lead of the set, 17-16. Out of the Mason timeout, the two teams traded points. It was not until back to back points for Mason opened up the game in favor of the Patriots, 23-21. The Patriots held on to win the second set, 25-23.
In the third set, an early 6-2 scoring run by the Patriots gave Mason the 11-7 advantage, leading to an NJIT timeout. Mason later scored four straight points off NJIT errors to help extend its lead, 17-10. NJIT responded with a 3-0 scoring run, forcing Mason to talk it over. Out of the timeout, Mason rattled off three straight points to lead, 22-16. Senior
Kyle Barnes' ninth kill of the match gave Mason the set win, 25-19.
NOTABLE STATS
- Mason outblocked NJIT 10 to 6. Wagner (5), Jack Reese (4), Sam Greenslade (3) and Bryce Gatling (3) all got in on the blocking action. In addition, the Patriots notched five solo blocks.
- The Patriots impressed behind the service line collecting six service aces compared to NJIT's three. Greenslade (2), Wagner (2) and Coleman (2) led the Patriots in the category.
- Mason limited NJIT to a .182 hitting percentage. On the other hand, Coleman's 32 assists guided the Patriots' to a .325 clip.
UP NEXT
Mason takes on EIVA preseason favorite Princeton at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Dillon Gymnasium. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.
