George Mason got their first win of the season after defeating CSUN 3-1. The Patriots depart the UCSB Invitational with a record of two losses and one win.
Jack Bolz led the team with 15 kills and Liam French was right behind with 14 after missing the first set. Sam Peters made 6 blocks and Omar Hoyos recorded 11 digs. Georgi Zahariev came back as a starter and had an unforgettable night achieving 42 assists.
Mason led for most of the first set until CSUN managed to tie the game 16-16. It was then a back and forth match with the score being tied seven times. The set was pushed to the limit and CSUN achieved the two point difference to win the first set 26-24. Jack Bolz had 5 kills, Omar Hoyos collected 6 digs, and Georgi Zahariev recorded 10 assists on his return to the starting lineup.
Liam French entered the game for the second set in search of a comeback for the Patriots. Mason started off the second set strong again, achieving a seven point lead (17-10) over CSUN. CSUN was only able to cut down the deficit to 3 points (21-18) and Mason went on an unanswered four point run to take the second set, 25-18.
The third set was crucial for both teams to have control of the game and they both came out with intensity. The score was tied 24 times with each side taking turns on having a one point lead. Georgi Zahariev was assisting all game and kept that momentum in the crucial moments setting up Jack Bolz, Omar Hoyos, Sam Peters, and Liam French to score points for the Patriots. With a service error by CSUN and a service ace by Liam French, Mason won the third set 32-30.
It seemed as if the fourth set would be identical to the previous set, the game was tied 16 times with each team going back and forth on having the lead. Once the score was 20-20, George Mason scored three unanswered points where Liam French got two kills and Sam Peters and Jack Bolz recorded a block. CSUN made an attempt to comeback, but with another kill by Liam French and a service error by CSUN, the Patriots recorded their first win of the 2024 season.
Next game:
The Patriots will stay in California and face UC Irvine. Game is scheduled for Tuesday, January 9th at 6 p.m.
