Fairfax, VA – George Mason traveled to Connecticut to face Sacred Heart on Saturday and kept their winning streak against the Pioneers since 2014. Scores of the match were 25-22, 25-21 and 26-24. The Patriots record is tied 3-3.

Game Recap:

George Mason and Sacred Heart started the first set with a back and forth match. Both teams took turns with the lead and possession until the score was 20-21 with Sacred Heart taking the lead by one point. The Patriots called for a time out and then went on to score three consecutive points. The Pioneers called for a timeout to slow down the momentum and a big block by Omar Hoyos and Sam Peters gave George Mason the first set, 25-22. Omar Hoyos ended the first set with seven kills. 

The Pioneers took the first point of the second set and then it was back to a similar situation as the first set with each team taking a foot forward and then falling behind. Tied at 19-19, Sacred Heart challenged a touch and wanted to take back the momentum after Mason had a 3 point run. The point stayed with the Patriots, 20-19 and then had a two point lead. Patrick Mucherino closed the gap to 21-20 and then Omar Hoyos scored from the outside to give the Patriots a two point lead later. Sacred Heart called for another timeout and Omar Hoyos took the Patriots to a 23-20 score by an ace. He continued his ace streak to give George Mason a 3 point lead. Pioneers tried to fight back but after a service error, the Patriots took the second set 25-21.  

Third set was opened with three aces in a row by Carlos Santa Cruz. George Mason started the set behind but Liam French's kill cut the advantage to one point followed by Sam Peter to get the Patriots to lead 6-7. The Patriots were behind again during the middle of the game and French Liam kept showing up to slow down the Pioneers. During his sixth kill of the match, he put Mason 10-13 but the Pioneer's were fighting hard to extend their lead. Patrick Mucherino's kill forced a Patriot's timeout after having a three point lead. The Patriot's response was a kill by Liam French and an ace by Jack Bolz. George Mason tied the game 17-17 after a kill by Sam Peters. The game was back and forth like the previous sets. Liam French had an ace which put the Patriots in set point which forced the Pioneers to take a time out. Sacred Heart tied the game but Sam Peters had a big kill taking the Patriots closer to victory, 25-24. Jack Bolz closed out the match by getting a kill and giving Mason the win. The Patriots continue their winning streak against Sacred Heart.

• George Mason had ten service aces while Sacred Heart had five 
• Senior Omar Hoyos had the most kills from both teams (13) and in aces (4)
• Redshirt Sophomore outside hitter Liam French had the most blocks (2)
• Sophomore Georgi Zahariev led the team in assists (18) and digs (4)
• George Mason had a hitting percentage of .432