Mason (0-0) vs. Howard (0-0)
WHEN: Friday, Aug. 30 at 6 p.m.
WHERE: Burr Gymnasium; Washington, DC
LIVE STATS:  LINK
 
Mason (0-0) vs. American (0-0)
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 31 at 12 p.m.
WHERE: Bender Arena; Washington, DC
LIVE STATS:  LINK
LIVE VIDEO:  LINK
 
Mason (0-0) vs. UC Riverside (0-0)
WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 1 at 1 p.m.
WHERE: The RAC; Fairfax, Va.
LIVE STATS: LINK
LIVE VIDEO: LINK
 
FAIRFAX, Va. – The women's volleyball program kicks off their 2024 season this weekend with games against Howard, American, and UC Riverside as a part of the DC Challenge.
 
The Patriots will open up their season on the road at Howard University with a match on Friday, Aug. 30 at 6 p.m. The Bison went 17-15 overall, 11-3 in MEAC play last season. They are picked to finish first in the MEAC preseason poll with two-time MEAC Player of the Year Rya McKinnon and All-MEAC First Team recipient Cimone Woodard leading the team. Howard has won 8 of the 25 games they've played against Mason, including last year's match up, which they won 3-2.
 
Then, on Saturday, Aug. 31, the Green & Gold will head to American University to take on the Eagles at 12 p.m. The Eagles were 20-11 last season, 11-5 in Patriot League play. American has a very young team, with 12 of the 16 players being freshmen or sophomores. They do return 2023 Patriot League Setter of the Year Esma Sipahi to the team this year as one of three seniors. The Eagles lead the all-time series 24-18 against the Patriots, including last year's match up, which they won 3-2.
 
Finally, rounding out the weekend, George Mason comes home to Fairfax where they will play the UC Riverside Highlanders at 1 p.m. The Highlanders finished last season 6-24, 5-13 in Big West play. This will be the first match up of UC Riverside and George Mason.
 
Patriot Points

• The Patriots went 9-21, 5-13 in A-10 play last year, the best record the program has had since 2018.
• The 2024 roster includes 11 returners and seven newcomers - six freshman and one transfer.
• Returning for the Patriots is Camille Larkin who was named to the 2023 All-Conference Second Team
• The Patriots coaching staff added Peyton Ehmke '22 to their staff as an assistant coach, and promoted Nick Mata to associate head coach in the off season.
• The Patriots were picked to finish ninth in an A-10 preseason poll

Admission is free for all Patriots' women's volleyball home matches played at the RAC and all home games will be streamed nationally on ESPN+.