Five Set Thriller Ends in a Loss for George Mason
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Fairfax, Va.- George Mason falls against NJIT in the conference opener game, 3-2. A five-set thriller was set to go either way but the Highlanders were more equipped to close out the game.
The first set was a hard-fought battle between both teams, which set the tone for the rest of the match. There were seven instances where the game was tied but with an inspired Robert Evangelista and Jackson Herbert, the Patriots were able to secure the first set. Giomar Collazo also added another service ace to his name to help George Mason reach the 25th point first.
A never-ending battle was shown in display during the second set of the game. Both teams were eager for the lead, 14 times where the score was tied and 11 instances where the lead changed. The EIVA Defensive Player of the Week, Alexander Lillie, was proving to everybody why he is one of the best defensive players in the league with three blocks. The Highlanders fought harder in the end and won the set 28-26 to tie the game.
Most of the energy was used in the second set and the Patriots had more in the tank winning the third set with a score of 25-18. Jackson Herbert recorded five kills in the set and Alexander Lillie with another three blocks to secure the lead.
NJIT started the fourth set with all the momentum scoring six unanswered points for a quick 6-0 lead. The Patriots made an attempt to come back in the game with Robert Evangelista leading the offensive line with six kills but the Highlanders flowed through the rest of the set to win it, 25-20.
We had a tie game at New Jersey, both teams using up the last of their energy to bring back the win. NJIT had another quick lead of 4-1 with the Patriots attempting to tie the game up. Four consecutive points scored by the Highlanders made the task more difficult for the Patriots, but they did manage to go on two separate runs of three unanswered points to make it a closer match. Alessandro Negri closed out the game with a kill to give George Mason their first loss in conference play.
Quotable:
“I feel like we should have won that match in three, but we let it slip out of our hands”, said head coach Jay Hosack. Hats off to NJIT, they grinded out that win but we learned that we have to finish matches by sprinting across the finish line. I am excited for us and our potential.”
By the numbers:
The first set was a hard-fought battle between both teams, which set the tone for the rest of the match. There were seven instances where the game was tied but with an inspired Robert Evangelista and Jackson Herbert, the Patriots were able to secure the first set. Giomar Collazo also added another service ace to his name to help George Mason reach the 25th point first.
A never-ending battle was shown in display during the second set of the game. Both teams were eager for the lead, 14 times where the score was tied and 11 instances where the lead changed. The EIVA Defensive Player of the Week, Alexander Lillie, was proving to everybody why he is one of the best defensive players in the league with three blocks. The Highlanders fought harder in the end and won the set 28-26 to tie the game.
Most of the energy was used in the second set and the Patriots had more in the tank winning the third set with a score of 25-18. Jackson Herbert recorded five kills in the set and Alexander Lillie with another three blocks to secure the lead.
NJIT started the fourth set with all the momentum scoring six unanswered points for a quick 6-0 lead. The Patriots made an attempt to come back in the game with Robert Evangelista leading the offensive line with six kills but the Highlanders flowed through the rest of the set to win it, 25-20.
We had a tie game at New Jersey, both teams using up the last of their energy to bring back the win. NJIT had another quick lead of 4-1 with the Patriots attempting to tie the game up. Four consecutive points scored by the Highlanders made the task more difficult for the Patriots, but they did manage to go on two separate runs of three unanswered points to make it a closer match. Alessandro Negri closed out the game with a kill to give George Mason their first loss in conference play.
Quotable:
“I feel like we should have won that match in three, but we let it slip out of our hands”, said head coach Jay Hosack. Hats off to NJIT, they grinded out that win but we learned that we have to finish matches by sprinting across the finish line. I am excited for us and our potential.”
By the numbers:
- Robert Evangelista secured a new career high of kills with 17
- Alexander Lillie’s talent was on full display with four aces and eight blocks, leading the team in both categories
- Troy McDonald recorded 39 assists
- Jackson Herbert had the most digs with six and offensively he secured 14 kills, right behind Evangelista.
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