CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The George Mason Men's Volleyball team extended their current winning streak to a season-high four games after a hard-fought four set win over Queens University of Charlotte Friday night at the Levine Center.
PATRIOT POINTS
- The Patriots and Royals were virtually even in every statistical category. George Mason recorded one more service ace (six to five) but the Royals had the advantage in points (58 to 61), kills (46 to 47), blocks (six to nine), assists (40 to 44) and digs (39 to 50).
- Sophomore pin hitter Aidan Weltin and junior outside hitter Robert Evangelista both shared the team high of 12 kills each as well as seven digs. Weltin also shared the game-high in service aces with four.
- Sophomore middle blocker Alexander Lillie, who recorded one service ace, had the third-most on the team with nine and the most block assists on the team with four.
- Senior setter Georgi Zahariev racked up 31 more assists as well as an ace.
To start off the first road trip of March, George Mason (10-6, 2-2 EIVA) had to grind through four sets with Queens University of Charlotte (6-11, 1-7 MIVA) on Friday night. Both offenses struggled to find their rhythm throughout the match, but the Patriots outhit the Royals .206 to .180.
SET 1: George Mason - 25, Queens - 19
The opening set saw George Mason jump to an early lead following a service error by the Royals' Chance Shampine. Queens fought back with Kaden Saurer leading the charge, delivering a kill and two service aces to push them ahead 6-3.
Aidan Weltin and
Robert Evangelista were crucial in closing the gap for the Patriots, with Evangelista landing a service ace at 13-13. The momentum shifted as George Mason capitalized on the Royals' missteps, including an attack error by Saurer, to take the set 25-19.
SET 2: George Mason - 20, Queens - 25
In the second set, the Royals gained the upper hand early, exploiting service errors from the Patriots. Saurer again played a key role, racking up multiple kills with assists from Charlie Podgorny, helping Queens stay ahead.
The Patriots got as close as 11-12 in the set, but the Royals rattled off a 5-0 run to separate themselves from the Patriots and eventually ballooned to a 16-23 Queens lead.
Despite a brief rally by George Mason, highlighted by Weltin's back-to-back service aces and three consecutive kills by
Alexander Lillie that cut the deficit to 20-24, Queens held firm. Saurer's kill from Podgorny wrapped up the set at 25-20.
SET 3: George Mason - 25, Queens - 20
George Mason bounced back in the third set, never trailing and only being tied twice in the early stages. The Patriots benefited from the Royals' six service errors in the period.
Weltin and Evangelista consistently contributed, each recording multiple kills. Weltin's offensive prowess maintained the lead, and Evangelista's kill from
Georgi Zahariev capped off the set. Queens' errors, including a crucial service error by Podgorny, bolstered the Patriots' momentum.
SET 4: George Mason - 25, Queens - 23
The final set started with the Royals slightly ahead, but George Mason quickly leveled the score, aided by a series of Queens' errors.
Down 9-11, the Patriots went on a 10-6 run to get themselves ahead. The Royals did not go away quietly, as they would tie the set three more times at 19, 20 and 23.
George Mason reached match point at 24-23, and after a rally that was kept alive by the diving efforts of redshirt junior libero
Robby Nardoni, Weltin's attack was ruled out, leveling the score. Coach
Jay Hosack challenged the call, claiming that the ball had touched the Royal back line. After a review that took a little over a minute, the officials reversed the call, giving the Patriots the point and the match.
COACH'S CORNER
"Even though it wasn't our best performance, I am happy with the grit and determination to refuse to go down against a good Queens team," said head coach
Jay Hosack.
UP NEXT
George Mason will play their second game of their North Carolina trip tomorrow, as they will travel to Belmont to face off against Belmont Abbey at the Wheeler Center. Slated for 4 p.m., the game will be broadcast on
Conference Carolinas Digital Network here and can be followed on
live stats here.
