MEN'S VOLLEYBALL at #3 UC-Irvine
WHEN: Tuesday, January 9 | 6 p.m. EST
WHERE: Irvine, Calif. | Crawford Hall
RECORDS: George Mason (1-2); UC-Irvine (0-0)
ALL-TIME SERIES: UC-Irvine leads, 6-0
LIVE STATS: Click here
WATCH ($): ESPN+
FAIRFAX, Va. - The 19th-ranked George Mason men's volleyball team concludes its four-match California trip, facing No. 3 UC-Irvine on Tuesday night at Crawford Hall in Irvine, Calif.
The Patriots and Anteaters have faced each other six times, with UC-Irvine holding a 6-0 advantage in the all-time series. In the last meeting, Mason fell three sets to one on the road to the Anteaters.
Mason began the season with three matches against Big West Conference opponents, including two against ranked teams, in the UC-Santa Barbara E-Bar Tournament.
After falling to UC-San Diego (3-1) and UC-Santa Barbara (3-2), the Patriots defeated No. 17 California State University-Northridge (3-1) last time out on Saturday.
In the victory over the Matadors, Patriots sophomore setter Georgi Zahariev was back in the starting lineup and collected 42 assists, while redshirt-senior opposite hitter Jack Bolz led the team with 15 kills. The Patriots won a marathon third set, 32-30, to take a 2-1 lead in the match before winning the fourth set, 25-22 to post their first win of the season.
In the season opener, Bolz and senior outside hitter Omar Hoyos both finished with ten kills against the Tritons, while junior setter Troy McDonald registered 30 assists and seven digs.
In the matchup with No. 15 Santa Barbara, Hoyos led the team with 15 kills and collected three service aces while McDonald notched 40 assists and led the team with 13 digs.
Senior middle blocker Sam Peters, who leads the Patriots in blocks, earned his first ever EIVA weekly award after showcasing multiple defensive performances during the UC-Santa Barbara tournament.
In the first game against UC-San Diego, Peters had five digs and five total blocks. Against No. 15 Santa Barbara, he recorded six total blocks and against CSUN, Peters once again recorded six total blocks, including one solo. Peters ended the tournament with 17 total blocks and 17 kills on .433 hitting and scored 27 points for the Patriots.
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"After a long weekend up in Santa Barbara, I was pleased with our progression over the weekend", Mason head coach Jay Hosack said. "We felt like we let a big one go with our match against UCSB, but felt we picked it up the following night against a good CSUN team. We are looking forward to playing another top quality opponent in UC Irvine, and hope to continue our upward trend."
SCOUTING THE ANTEATERS
Junior outside hitter Hilir Henno was named to the Big West Preseason Coaches Team for the second consecutive year. He had the second most kills (326) for the Anteaters, only behind Francesco Sani, who led the team with 408 kills last season. Senior middle blocker Connor Campbell recorded 81 total blocks and 31 digs last season.
The Anteaters were picked third in the preseason poll with one first place vote. UC-Irvine ended 2023 ranked No. 5 nationally and advanced to the Big West Championship match.
Tuesday's match is the season opener for UC-Irvine.
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