Fairfax, Va.- George Mason began their 2025 season with a 0-3 loss against #17 UC San Diego.
The first set began with UC San Diego firing, up until a service error gave the Patriots their first point of the 2025 season.
Georgi Zahariev would secure the first service ace of the season, but the Tritons were better prepared in the first set.
Giomar Collazo Santiago has shown stints of his strength achieving two incredible kills to bring hope back for the Patriots. UC San Diego took the first set 25-15.
Troy McDonald entered the game in the second set to replace
Georgi Zahariev as the setter. UC San Diego continued with their service errors, gifting away multiple points to the Patriots. George Mason went ahead for the first time in the game with clutch blocks by
Troy McDonald and a service ace by
Liam French, but the Tritons regained control and took the second set 25-18.
Georgi Zahariev returned to the court to take over the setter position.
Alexander Lillie and
Stef Kins both made their NCAA debut in the third set. Both teams were fighting for the lead with the score line going back and forth until the Tritons scored the 15
th point and the media time out was called. UC San Diego took back control and would finalize the game winning the third set 25-17.
By the numbers:
- Giomar Collazo Santiago led the team with six kills and five digs
- Georgi Zahariev recorded 13 assists in two sets
- Giomar Collazo also recorded 18 receptions with only one error (.947)
- Liam French had five kills and one service ace to be tied as the top scorer for the Patriots together with Giomar Collazo (six points)
- Evan Snodgrass had the most block for the Patriots with three total blocks
