Sept. 15, 2007

Texas A&M - Corpus Christi Box Score
USF Box Score

TAMPA, Fla. - The George Mason women's volleyball played two matches on Saturday as part of the University of South Florida Invitational, with the Patriots (7-5) earning a 3-0 win over Texas A&M - Corpus Christi (30-17, 30-27, 30-27), before falling to the host Bulls, 3-1 (30-27, 30-25, 24-30, 30-17), later in the afternoon.

The Patriots were led throughout the weekend by senior Jaqueline Kohler, who was named to the Best Western All-Tournament Team. Kohler finished the day with 36 kills between the two matches, including a match-high 22 against USF. Sophomore Rebecca Walter also had an outstanding day, notching 27 kills on Saturday. Freshman Fernanda Bartels matched a season-high against the Bulls with 45 assists.

USF opened the first game on a 7-1 run and never looked back, not allowing Mason to move any closer than two points as they took the opening game. The Bulls followed it up with a hard-fought win, taking down the Patriots, who had control of the game early on.

Mason came out on the winning end in the third game, as a similarly close-fought game ended up in the Patriots' favor. However, the Bulls prevented the match from being even at two games apiece when, with a slim one point lead at 10-9, went on a 9-2 run then held off the Patriots for the match victory.

In the early match, Mason jumped out to a quick start, earning the 1-0 lead with a decisive 30-17 victory in game one. The tone was set by the 10-2 run that Mason used to start off the match. Both teams had limited success on their attack, with Mason gaining a .186 to -.062 advantage in the first game.

Neither the second or third games were nearly as one-sided, but in both, the Patriots were able to pull out tight three-point wins to take the match victory against the Islanders.

Mason is back in action next Friday when they travel to rival James Madison to open up the Colonial Athletic Association schedule. First serve is set for 7 p.m. from Harrisonburg.