HARRISONBURG, Va. — George Mason lost its match to UNC Greensboro 3-2 on Saturday. After dropping the first two sets, the Patriots won the next two 25-22 and 25-21 before falling 15-13 in the fifth.

The Patriots moved ahead 11-8 in the opening set on back-to-back kills by Jenna Hunt and Kiera Hamilton, but UNC Greensboro answered with four straight points to go in front 12-11. The Patriots later pulled within 21-19 on Hamilton's kill from Ava Cheney before UNC Greensboro scored the final four points to take the set 25-19.

The Patriots erased a 20-16 deficit in the second set, tying it at 20-20 on Hamilton's kill from Cheney after two UNC Greensboro attack errors. UNC Greensboro answered with three straight points, and although Hamilton later brought the Patriots within 23-22 on a kill from Mia Hazelett, the Spartans took the final two points to win the set 25-22.

The Patriots answered a 21-20 deficit with four straight points on Cheney's serve, moving ahead 24-21 in the third set. Nia Thompson started that stretch with a kill, Gabriella Gelfound and Hunt teamed on a block, and Thompson later finished the set with another kill from Cheney for a 25-22 win.

The Patriots turned a 7-8 deficit into a 14-8 lead with seven straight points, including six on Cheney's serve. Hunt had two kills during that stretch and teamed with Gelfound on a block as the Patriots created separation. UNC Greensboro got back within 24-21 late, but Hamilton finished the 25-21 set with a kill from Cheney.

The Patriots pulled the fifth set level twice, with Hunt and Cheney combining on a block before Cheney's ace made it 8-8 and Hamilton later putting down a kill before a UNC Greensboro error tied it at 12. UNC Greensboro answered from there, moving ahead 14-12 before the Patriots got one point back on an attack error. Kendall Lanclos finished the set with a kill, giving UNC Greensboro the 15-13 set.

PATRIOT POINTS
Kiera Hamilton
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- 20 kills
- 21 points
- 6 digs

Nia Thompson
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- 15 kills
- 16.5 points
- 9 digs
- 1 service ace

Ava Cheney
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- 44 assists
- 4 kills on .444 hitting
- 3 digs
- 1 service ace

Jenna Hunt
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- 9 kills with no errors on 15 attempts
- .600 hitting percentage
- 7 total blocks
- 12.5 points

Autumn Martinez-Robinson
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- 30 digs
- 6 assists
- 1 service ace

UP NEXT
The Patriots stay in Harrisonburg, Virginia, to face the hosts JMU on Sunday, Sept. 20, at 3 p.m. A livestream will be available on ESPN+.