Mason (2-0) vs. UC Irvine (2-1)
WHEN: Friday, 2 p.m. ET
WHERE: Bren Events Center, Irvine, Calif.
LIVE STATS: Click Here
LIVE VIDEO: Click Here
 
Mason (2-0) vs. Boise State (2-1)
WHEN: Saturday, 1 p.m. ET
WHERE: Bren Events Center, Irvine, Calif.
LIVE STATS: Click Here
 
Mason (2-0) vs. Southern Utah (1-2)
WHEN: Saturday, 6 p.m. ET
WHERE: Bren Events Center, Irvine, Calif.
LIVE STATS: Click Here
 
FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason women's volleyball team will head to California for the UCI/Adidas Invitational on Sept. 3-4 at the Bren Events Center in Irvine, Calif.
 
The Patriots will face the host Anteaters on Friday (2 p.m. ET), followed by Boise State (1 p.m. ET) and Southern Utah (6 p.m. ET) on Saturday. Mason's match against UC Irvine will be broadcast nationally on ESPN+.
 
The weekend will be a homecoming for senior duo and California natives Marlanna Bozicevich (San Marcos, Calif.) and Peyton Ehmke (San Clemente, Calif.).
 
KENNEDY HONORED
Freshman Olyvia Kennedy was named Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week on Monday. The Columbus, Ohio native averaged 3.64 points, 3.43 kills and 0.43 blocks per set while hitting .293 in a 2-0 week for the Patriots. 
 
The right side put down a match-high 19 kills in her Mason debut against American (Aug. 28). She had only two attacking errors on 39 attempts for an efficient clip of .436. 
 
PATRIOT POINTS

• Mason started the season 2-0 for the first time since 2015. The Patriots defeated crosstown rivals American, 3-1, and Howard, 3-0, as part of the D.C. Challenge.
• Mason snapped an eight-match losing streak to American, dating back to 2009. 
• Sunday's sweep of Howard marked Mason's first win over the Bison since 2015, ending a four-game skid. 
• Senior middle blockers Peyton Ehmke and Katie Parmalee combined for 27 kills and four blocks in Mason's win over American. Ehmke currently ranks seventh in the A-10 in hitting percentage (.340) while Parmalee sits at 10th (.311).
• Mason's serve-receive proved to be the deciding factor in its sweep of Howard on Sunday. The Patriots posted 11 service aces behind a career-high five from sophomore Katelyn Clarke.
• Clarke was a perfect 18-for-18 on service reception as well as freshman Ewelina Gacek (7-for-7) against the Bison.
• Senior setter Erin Derick averaged 9.00 assists and 2.00 digs per set last weekend. Thanks to her effort, Mason outhit its opponents .231 to .137.

 
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS

• Mason will face UCI, Boise State and Southern Utah for the first time in program history.
• UC Irvine (2-1) earned wins over Idaho State and Seattle before falling to UTEP in five sets at the Idaho Volleyball Classic. Sophomores Joy Umeh (3.67 k/s) and Onye Ofoegbu (3.83 k/s) spearhead UCI's attack.  
• Boise State (2-1) defeated Dixie State and Long Beach State last weekend, but dropped its home invitational finale to Montana State. The Broncos are led by Lauren Ohlinger who averaged 3.54 kills per set, and notched 20 kills and 14 digs against Dixie State. 
• Southern Utah is 1-2 to begin the 2021 season after suffering losses to #15 BYU and UNLV at the doTERRA Classic. The Thunderbirds picked up their first win over Long Island in five sets. 

 
UP NEXT
The Patriots will host the George Mason Invitational from Sept. 10-12 at the Recreation Athletic Complex. Mason will welcome five teams for a nine-match tournament. The full schedule can be found here.