FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason women's volleyball team fell to the defending Atlantic 10 Champions, Loyola Chicago, on Friday night, 3-0.
 
Freshman Caroline Rodriguez and junior Ewelina Gacek both tallied five kills and two digs for the Patriots (6-14, 2-6), while Rodriguez also added a block assist at the net.
 
The first set started with the two teams traded points and Gacek putting Mason ahead one, 5-4. However, three separate 5-0 runs by the Ramblers (8-11, 6-2) put the visitors ahead 21-10. Gabriella Gelfound ended the second run with a solo block, her first of two, a game-high. Facing set point, Mason held off LUC with two kills and forcing two attack errors. However, the Rambler's 11^th kill of the stanza shut the door, 25-15.
 
The Ramblers used efficient offense and strong defense to stifle any Mason attack in the second set. Rodriguez and Nani Spaar combined for four kills on eight attempts, but Loyola Chicago tallied a match-high 15 kills in the set as it cruised to the 25-14 win.
 
Down 11-5 in the third, Mason called timeout to reset and kick off a 7-3 run. Olyvia Kennedy got it started with a kill and the Patriots' lone ace of the night as they got back within two, 14-12 and force a Loyola Chicago timeout. The Ramblers were able to pull ahead using a 5-0 run and the two teams traded points down the stretch. Mason once again held off match point with a 3-0 run, but another LUC kill gave it the win, 25-18.
 
PATRIOT POINTS

• Gracie Halley led the Patriots on defense with a match-high nine digs
• Gabriella Gelfound's two solo blocks were a game and season-high. The sophomore also contributed a team-high nine assists
• 11 of the 14 Patriots who saw the court registered at least one dig during the match
• Nani Spaar was second on the team in service receptions with 18 and recorded no errors on the night

 
UP NEXT
The Patriots and Ramblers return to the court tomorrow at 2 p.m. for their Pink Game in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness.