April 8, 2004

Box Score

The George Mason men's volleyball team brought its 'A' game on Thursday night and that spelled bad news for the visitors from St. Francis University as the Patriots had no problem dismantling the Red Flash as George Mason pulled out a 30-22, 30-23, 30-21 win in Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association action at John Linn Memorial Gymnasium.

The Patriots had no trouble atoning for a 32-30, 23-30, 30-28, 19-30, 16-14 loss that occurred three weeks earlier. This time around, the Patriots were consistent with their offense and defense as they hit .350 in the game and had 14 total blocks to go along with 26 digs. The Red Flash was far from equal to the task as they hit -.011, had just 14 digs and only three total blocks.

Senior outside hitter Dustin Crosby had an excellent game, collecting 15 kills to go along with a .478 hitting percentage. He also had five digs. Junior outside hitter Felix Campos had 11 kills, two aces and seven digs and sophomore middle blocker Matt Steinfurth added seven kills on 11 attacks, and eight block assists. Junior setter Dave Egan collected 36 assists, four kills, four digs, two solo blocks and two block assists despite playing most of the match with a deep cut on his left hand.

St. Francis was paced by Chris Kennedy, who had 10 kills and six digs, and Jeff Wiegers, who had 24 assists. The Red Flash sealed a last-place finish in the EIVA's Tait Division meaning they will drop down to the Sweeney Division next season. The Patriots will likely finish with the sixth seed in the EIVA Tournament and will face Juniata in the opening round of the tournament on Saturday, April 24.

Before then the Patriots will play twice more, both home games against EIVA foes. On Saturday, the Patriots will host Rutgers-Newark at 7 p.m. and on Saturday, April 17, they will close out the season against Penn State in the UV Memorial Match as part of Alumni Weekend. That game is also scheduled for 7 p.m.