FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason women's volleyball team lost their opening match of the Mason Invitational to Old Dominion University, 2-3.
 
A strong start had the Patriots (2-5) take the first two sets, but a valiant effort by the Monarchs (6-2) forced a fifth set, and eventually won the game: 25-20, 25-23, 22-25, 19-25, 19-21.
 
The Green & Gold had control of the first two sets, starting both with the opening point and rarely trailing. Heading into the third set, it seemed that the momentum was on their side, but the Monarchs had other ideas. After two close back-to-back wins, the game went to a 5^th set. In the final set, there were 13 ties and 6 lead changes. ODU eventually strung together two points and won the match, 21-19.
 
Patriot Points

• Freshman Avery Booker led the way with 14 kills, joined closely by junior Haley Graetz and senior Olyvia Kennedy who each tallied 12 kills.
• The setting duo of red-shirt junior Damiana Bova-Ford and sophomore Camryn Weldon each put up 20+ assists.
• Sophomore Autumn Martinez-Robinson lead the team in digs with 16.
• The Patriots out paced the Monarchs in kills (60-56), assists (51-49), and digs (56-46).

Up Next
The Patriots will face the Naval Academy tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m. at The RAC. All admission is free and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.