Conference News
George Mason Drops Match to Springfield, 3-1
George Mason Drops to Springfield, 3-1
Maloney and Perez both register double-doubles in the
loss
FAIRFAX, Va. (February 21, 2010) - Despite double-doubles from
senior outside hitter Luke Maloney and freshman setter Javier
Perez, George Mason was unable to overcome the balanced attack of
Springfield College on Sunday afternoon at the RAC Gym. The Pride
had four players reach double figures in kills in a 3-1 defeat of
the Patriots.
Final set scores were 32-34, 30-26, 28-30 and 26-30. George Mason's
record falls to 3-6 overall and 1-2 in EIVA Tait Division matches
following the loss. The Patriots have lost four consecutive
matches, including three straight in their home gym after a
season-opening victory over Lees-McRae at the RAC. Springfield
College improved to 8-4 overall and 2-2 in EIVA Tait Division
matches with Sunday's win.
Mason missed a golden opportunity to take a one-set lead in an
opening set that featured 16 ties and four lead changes. The
Patriots took an early 7-2 lead, forcing Springfield College head
coach Charlie Sullivan to take a quick timeout. Following the
timeout, the Pride battled back to tie the score at 13. The two
sides went back-and-forth until Springfield College scored the
final two points on a double-block by Alistair Matthews and Greg
Falcone, followed by an attack error by Mason's Andrew Dentler on
set point, to take a 34-32 victory.
The Patriots evened the score at one set apiece by taking the
second set by a final score of 30-26. With the score knotted at 26,
Mason won the next point on a kill by junior Eric Lucas, who nearly
reached a double-double in the match with 11 kills and nine digs,
off a nice feed from Perez. Following the kill by Lucas, stout
defense at the net by the Patriots forced the Pride into three
consecutive attack errors to close out the set.
The third set was tied at 25 when Springfield College went on a 3-0
run to put the Patriots in a 28-25 hole. George Mason was unable to
overcome the deficit, losing to the Pride by two points, 30-28.
Springfield College went on to take the fourth set as well to close
the match and defeat Mason for the first time since the 2004
season.
Maloney finished with 14 kills, 12 digs and two aces in a losing
effort. Perez led all players with 60 assists and 15 digs. Dentler
led the Patriots with 18 kills on 38 swings.
Matthews (15), Mike Pelletier (13), AJ Nally (10) and Cal Palumbo
(10) all reached double-digit kill totals in the match for the
Pride. Matthews and Nally both recorded double-doubles in the win.
Matthews finished with 15 digs, while Nally recorded 14.








