Rafael Suanes/George Mason Univ.

Patriots Host Ball State to Begin 2021 Season

Men's Volleyball 1/21/2021 2:00:00 PM

WHEN: Jan. 22-23 | Friday (12 p.m.); Saturday (12 p.m.)
WHERE: Fairfax, Va. | The RAC
SERIES RECORD: Ball State leads the all-time series 43-28.
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FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason men's volleyball team opens up their 2021 season on Friday, Jan. 22, as the Patriots host Ball State at noon inside the Recreation and Athletic Complex (RAC).

Mason will host the Cardinals again on Saturday, Jan. 23, at noon inside the RAC.

The Green & Gold finished a short 2020 season with an overall record of 10-7 and a 5-3 record in conference play. The Patriots were selected to finish third in the 2021 EIVA preseason coaches' poll for the fourth consecutive season.

Head coach Jay Hosack and the Patriots return 14 student-athletes in 2021, including last season's team leader in assists/set (Zach Talamoa) and digs/set (Trevor Kennan). Mason also returns their entire starting lineup from the 2020 season opener.

Three All-EIVA honorees return to don the Green & Gold in 2021. Redshirt senior Jack Reese earned his first All-Conference first team honor last season after the middle blocker recorded 118 kills on 208 attempts, hitting .428 on the season. Reese led the Patriots in solo blocks (11) and total blocks (60) in 63 sets played.

Senior captain Sam Greenslade returns to Fairfax after a Second Team All-EIVA campaign that included a team high in both kills (164) and digs (127) in 63 sets played. Greenslade's 2.02 digs per set ranked fourth in the conference to end the year.

Redshirt junior Mike Kapusta returns to the Patriots' roster after a promising start to 2020 was ended due to an injury. Kapusta received his second straight EIVA All-Academic honor in 2020 after posting a 3.37 grade point average in his major of Management.

Like every EIVA program, the Patriots will look to get back to some normalcy in 2021 after the 2020 season was cut short due to COVID-19. The schedule will allow the Patriots to face each EIVA opponent four times this season, as opposed to the usual two matches against conference foes.

"Playing top programs is already a tough challenge," Hosack said. "Now playing these programs four times in a season is really going to push our guys to remember the previous things we did well and the things we need to work on for the next time we play them. The EIVA is strong this year and that will prepare the conference champion well for the NCAA Tournament."

SCOUTING BALL STATE (12-6, 4-3 MIVA)

The Cardinals are led by junior Kaleb Jenness, who was selected to the 2021 Preseason All-MIVA Team. The outside hitter earned an AVCA All-American Honorable Mention selection in 2020, after he recorded a team high 246 kills in 59 sets.

Ball State finished last season on a three-game winning streak, defeating Quincy (Feb. 29), Ohio State (March 4) and EIVA foe Sacred Heart (March 7).

The Patriots defeated the Cardinals in five sets (Jan. 23) last season. Mason's offense performed well last season against Ball State, as the Patriots recorded a season best 67 kills in the victory.

The Cardinals' offense also had success against the Patriots in their most recent meeting, as Jenness earned a career high 26 kills in the loss.

The Patriots and the Cardinals have split the past six contests 3-3 since 2015.

Mason is 31-14 (.689) all-time in season openers, including a 3-2 record under head coach Jay Hosack.

ESPN+

Mason fans can watch the Patriots on ESPN+. ESPN+ has two different subscriptions. One is for $5.99 per month and the other is for $49.99 per year. Order subscription

TICKETING INFO

The RAC Gym will have a capacity of 30 spectators, limited to team guests and Mason students. Tickets will not be available to the public. Face coverings will be required and seating will be in pods that are socially distanced. Students may request a ticket online. For further details regarding student tickets, please visit the Student Ticketing Page on GoMason.com.

FAN CUTOUTS

With capacity limitations inside the RAC Gym, you can support the Mason Volleyball programs with a fan cutout. Proceeds from sales of cutouts will benefit the men's and women's volleyball programs. Details on volleyball fan cutouts can be found here.

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