Feb. 1, 2008

Box Score

LORETTO, Pa. - The 12th-ranked George Mason men's volleyball team hit the road to play its first conference match of the season, facing the St. Francis (Pa.) Red Flash at DeGol Arena in Loretto, Pa. Unfortunately for the Patriots, their EIVA rivals, the Red Flash, continued their recent mastery of the head-to-head series, beating the Patriots by a final score of 3-2 (18-30, 30-20, 30-32, 30-28, 10-15).

George Mason, 4-2 overall and 0-1 in EIVA Tait Division matches after the loss, still holds a commanding 22-6 record in the all-time series against St. Francis (Pa.), who evened its record at 4-4 and 1-1 in the EIVA Tait Division with the upset. Despite the Patriots overwhelming success in the all-time series, the Red Flash have had Mason's number recently, winning the last five matches. Included among those five victories are two consecutive triumphs in the semifinal round of the EIVA Championship Tournament that have ended the Patriots past two seasons.

Sophomore outside hitter Jordan Varee set the tempo for the Red Flash, churning out 19 kills on 32 attempts, while sophomore Nick Rivett chipped in 18 kills on 33 swings. Junior setter Shane Conley put up 57 assists en route to a .310 attacking clip for the Red Flash.

Mason will attempt to rebound from the loss tomorrow evening when the Patriots play at Juniata in a 7 p.m. EIVA Tait Division match.