FAIRFAX, Va. (March 16) – In a rematch from the previous night, the University of Mount Olive men's volleyball program suffered a 3-1 loss at No. 17 ranked George Mason in non-conference play on Saturday evening.
With the loss, the Trojans fall to 13-6 this season while holding a 9-6 mark on the road. George Mason sweeps the season series and boasts a 6-1 record all-time against UMO. Meanwhile, the Patriots improve to 11-7 overall with a perfect 5-0 record on their home court.
Sophomore
Kory Grant produced double-digit kills with a team-high 10 and added five digs over four sets played. Senior
Hayden Frear finished with nine kills, one block, and seven digs, while sophomore
Constantinos Iacovou registered nine kills on a .500 hitting percentage with a pair of solo blocks. Fellow sophomore
Jackson Lahey guided the offense with 35 assists, six kills, two blocks, and four digs against the Patriots.
On defense, sophomore
Mert Asma reached double figures with 11 digs, while junior
Holden Maryott finished with four blocks at the net.
George Mason established an early 11-7 advantage before the Trojans scored four of the following six points to trim the deficit to 13-11. The Patriots mounted a 7-2 run to extend the lead to 20-13 before tallying five of the next seven points to take the first set, 25-16.
In the second, George Mason registered five unanswered points to begin the set before UMO cut into the deficit with a trio of kills to trail by an 8-4 margin. The Patriots went on a 9-3 run, including five kills, before Mount Olive scored six of the next nine points to trail by a 20-13 margin. George Mason responded with three consecutive points before sealing the set, 25-16.
The Trojans leaped ahead by a score of 8-4 in the third set behind a pair of kills by Frear, but the Patriots answered back with a 6-1 rally to grab a 10-9 edge. The teams exchanged the next eight points before George Mason built an 18-15 advantage with four straight points. Mount Olive rallied with an 8-2 run with Iacovou leading the way with three kills to take a 23-20 edge. Lahey and Grant recorded kills down the stretch to secure the set, 25-22.
In the fourth, the Patriots quickly took a 9-4 advantage before UMO scored three of the following four points to trim the deficit to 10-7. George Mason stretched the lead to 14-8 before the sides alternated the next six points. Mount Olive tallied five of the next seven points to trail by a 19-16 margin before a short 6-3 run by the Patriots closed the set, 25-19.
Mount Olive returns to Kornegay Arena on Friday, March 22, to face Belmont Abbey in Conference Carolinas action at 7 p.m.
