FAIRFAX, Va. – The Patriots downed the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights on Friday night 3-1 to extend their winning streak to six games.
The Patriots took the first two sets, narrowly dropped the third and then dominated the fourth (25-19, 28-26, 23-25, 25-20).
In the first, the Patriots started off with three straight points and carried the lead until the Knights tied it at 12. Then, Mason would go on a 4-0 run and maintain the lead as
Omar Hoyos smashed an ace to win it 25-19.
The second was much tighter, as neither team would lead by more than two until Mason led 20-17. The Knights tied it at 22 and again at 26. The Patriots had three set points before they were able to clinch it 28-26, but never allowed the Knights to have a chance at one.
The Knights controlled most of the third, going on a 7-1 run to lead 12-8. They would extend it to five at 21-16.
Jack Bolz and the crew refused to go down without a fight and rallied to tie the score at 22. On that run, Bolz had three aces and
Omar Hoyos had two kills. The Knights held on taking the last three of four points (25-23).
In the fourth and final set, the Patriots would use another run to build a big lead. Trailing 7-6, Mason rattled off five straight points to lead 11-7 and soon led 17-10. They went on to win it 25-20, staying ahead the rest of the set.
The Patriots will face The Knights again tomorrow (Mar. 18), at the RAC at 5 P.M.
By the Numbers
- Patriots smashed 8 aces to the Knights 2
- Omar Hoyos and Liam French led the Patriots in kills with 20 and 15
- Mason led in set assists with 53 to the Knights 46
- Jack Bolz set a season-high in digs with 9
