FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason women's volleyball team opened Atlantic 10 Conference play in dominating fashion on Friday night, downing the VCU Rams (5-8, 0-1) in three sets.
The Patriots (5-7, 1-0) were victorious over the Rams for the first time since 2018, when they also beat VCU in straight sets at home.
Mason was dominant on both sides of the net, out-hitting VCU .326-.144 with 47 kills and out-digging the Rams 42-21. Senior
Stephanie Der shined in the back-court, recording a match-high 17 digs, 10 more than the next most.
Senior
Mujay Mambu recorded double-digit kills for the third-straight game and the fourth time this season. She recorded a game-high 15 kills at a season-best .619.
Mason was in total control of set one, cruising to a 25-12 victory. The Patriots' defense was fantastic, recording 12 digs and a perfect reception percentage to go along with 13 kills at a .346 clip.
With set two tied at 12, Mason scored eight of the next 12 points to stretch their lead to four. Back-to-back blocks that included graduate student
Peyton Ehmke forced a VCU timeout, but the Rams were unable to rally and Mason pulled out the 25-20 win.
Set three featured 10 ties and four lead changes, but Mambu recorded six kills and the team recorded three total blocks to hold off VCU and earn the victory.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Sophomore Damiana Bova-Ford recorded a team-high 21 assists, while Grace Kristofic notched a season-best nine.
- The middle-blocker pair of Ehmke and sophomore Camille Larkin excelled at the net, as both recorded six kills a-piece at .857 and .625 clips, respectively.
- The Rams out-blocked the Patriots 8.0-6.0 and were led by seven block assists from Sarah Stratton.
- Sophomore Olyvia Kennedy recorded double-digit kills (10) for the fifth time this season.
UP NEXT
The Patriots will look to go 2-0 this weekend when they take on the Rams at the RAC tomorrow at 5 p.m. The match is Mason's Game of the Week, and the first 200 students in attendance will receive Mason Athletics slides.
