FAIRFAX, Va. - The George Mason men's volleyball team (9-7, 4-3 EIVA) split their road trip over the weekend, falling short against No. 9 Penn State in three sets (19-25, 20-25, 16-25) on Friday, followed by a four set victory (17-25, 27-25, 25-21, 25-18) against Saint Francis (Pa.) on Saturday.
 

In the first contest against the Nittany Lions, the Patriots could not get anything going on the offensive end as Penn State earned a team attacking percentage of .352, led by Cal Fisher with 16 kills.

The Nittany Lions' 8-1 advantage over the Patriots in service aces was the difference in the three set loss, as Mason tied a season high in receiving errors (8) on the night.

"Penn state played flawless volleyball tonight," head coach Jay Hosack said. "We just did not have any answers for their serves or their swings. But that's what good teams do. We have to learn to be more gritty against teams like that."

Senior Sam Greenslade led the Patriots with 11 kills on 23 attempts throughout the night, earning an attacking percentage of .348.

In the second contest against Saint Francis (Pa.), the Patriots started slow dropping the first set by a score of 17-25. After the game one defeat, Mason's offense recorded an attacking percentage of .375 in set three and .370 in set four. 

Greenslade led the Green & Gold with 11 digs and three service aces on the night as the Patriot defense held the Red Flash to attacking percentages of .053 (set two), .154 (set three), .179 (set four) throughout the final three sets.

Greenslade also led the Patriots with 11 kills on Saturday, while redshirt junior Jack Reese notched 10 kills on 11 attempts (attacking percentage of .818) and two solo blocks. Senior Bryce Gatling joined Reese with two solo blocks of his own. Sophomore Richie Hoff tallied three service aces in the Patriots' victory on Saturday night.

UP NEXT

The Patriots return home to face Charleston (W.Va.) on Saturday, March 7. First serve is set for 4 p.m. inside the RAC.