Fairfax, Va. – The George Mason men's volleyball season came to an end with a 3-1 loss to top-seeded Princeton in the EIVA semifinals.

The match began as a tightly contested battle, with both teams trading points early in the first set. Princeton reached the media timeout first at 15, holding a narrow three-point lead. Two successful challenges helped the Tigers maintain momentum, but a few attack errors and a kill by Liam French kept the Patriots within striking distance at 20-23. However, a service ace by Princeton closed out the set, leaving George Mason with an uphill climb.

Princeton came out strong in the second set, jumping to an early 8-3 lead and forcing a Mason timeout. The Patriots responded with a four-point run to close the gap. Though Princeton regained control, a series of blocks by Giomar Collazo, Evan Snodgrass, Troy McDonald, Alexander Lillie, and Jackson Herbert brought the Patriots level at 15-15. A tough dig from Robby Nardoni set up a kill by Liam French, giving Mason its first lead of the set at 19-18. Clutch performances from Snodgrass and a spark off the bench from Derek Nagel helped the Patriots take the set 25-23 and tie the match at 1-1.

Princeton maintained a slim lead throughout the third. Despite another comeback attempt from Mason, with blocks by Collazo and Lillie pulling the score to 21-20, the Tigers held firm to win the set and go up 2-1.

The fourth set followed a familiar pattern, with Princeton starting fast and Mason clawing back. Collazo recorded two solo blocks and four block assists, while French continued his strong performance, tying the set at 15-15 with his 15th kill. A powerful kill by Jackson Herbert tied the game again at 23-23. French notched his 19th kill to keep Mason alive at 24-24, but Princeton reached match point first and sealed the win with a kill by Ben Omene.

With the 3-1 loss, George Mason's postseason run comes to a close in the EIVA semifinals, wrapping up a hard-fought season.