Oct. 3, 2008

Box Score

FAIRFAX, Va. - Three Patriots reached double-figures in kills but the George Mason women's volleyball team was dealt its second five-set loss in as many matches as the Hofstra Pride defeated the Patriots, 3-2 (26-24, 23-25, 21-25, 25-18, 15-10) in Colonial Athletic Association action on Friday evening at the Field House.

Hofstra picked up its first conference win of the year as it improved to 7-8, 1-1 in the CAA, while Mason fell to 4-11, 0-2 in the CAA as its winless streak reached six matches.

Junior Rebecca Walter led the Patriots with 15 kills and was joined in double-digits by junior Laura Turner and senior Jourdan Dozier, who chipped in 12 and 10, respectively. Walter earned her second-straight double-double with 11 digs as well, while the Patriots were led in that category by freshman Katrina Boryc's 21 digs. Harmonie Calinda led the Pride with 15 kills and was one of four Hofstra players with a double double.

Mason registered a season-high 180 attempts on the match and hit .094 overall (49-32-180), bested by Hofstra's .140 hitting percentage (60-35-178). Additionally, the Patriots were outblocked by a 14.5-to-10 margin at the net.

The Patriots took early control of the match and led by as many as five at 15-10 in the first set, before an 8-0 Hofstra scoring spree put the Pride ahead. Down 22-17 though, Mason embarked on a 6-1 run of its own, tying the ledger at 23. The teams traded points before two straight Pride kills ended the set.

In the second set, Mason found its best success in the attack, hitting .235 to Hofstra's .105. The Patriots opened the set on a 7-1 tear, and preserved their lead until the Pride tied the contest at 16. After trading the lead twice more, Mason took control of a 23-23 deadlock with a Turner kill and a block solo from sophomore Fernanda Bartels to even the match heading into the intermission.

Mason kept its momentum going into the third set, breaking open a 7-7 score with a 10-2 scoring binge to seize the lead for good, despite the Pride inching within a point at 19-18. Hofstra forced the fifth and deciding set, however, by opening up a long run as well.

In the final set, the Patriots opened strong with six of the first eight points, but five Hofstra points in a row gave the Pride its first lead of the set. Mason tied the match on the next point, but three successive Hofstra scores put the Pride ahead for good.

Mason will look to return to the win column tomorrow evening when it hosts Northeastern at 7 p.m.