Oct. 12, 2008

Box Score

WILMINGTON, N.C. - Junior Rebecca Walter recorded her fifth double-double of the year as the George Mason women's volleyball team rallied from an early deficit to defeat the UNC Wilmington Seahawks, 3-1 (14-25, 25-15, 25-22, 25-19), in Colonial Athletic Association competition at Hanover Hall on Sunday afternoon.

Mason (6-12, 2-3 CAA) won its second match of the weekend, while the Seahawks (5-13, 0-5) were denied their first conference win of the season.

Walter led all scorers with her 13 kills and was one of three Patriots in double-digit digs, as freshmen Katrina Boryc and Noelle Fanella chipped in 13 and 12 digs each to go with Walter's 10. Sophomore Fernanda Bartels, who also had a match high with 42 assists, was one of two Patriots along with senior Jourdan Dozier with six total blocks. Megan Nash had nine kills to lead UNCW.

The Patriots held a 13-to-4 blocking advantage and out-hit UNCW by a .219-to-.145 margin on the match. However, it was the Seahawks who struck first as they earned a first-set victory by holding a .351-to-.111 hitting advantage. The score was tied through 12 points at 6-6, but four straight Seahawk scores gave UNCW a lead it would not relinquish in the set, expanding the advantage as large as 11.

Mason quickly rebounded in the second set, opening on a 4-1 tear and never looking back. UNCW did get as close as one point at 6-5, but five straight Patriot points reopened the large margin and held off the Seahawks to level the match ledger at one set apiece.

Out of the break, the two teams were matched more evenly in the third set as there were a total of five lead changes during the set. It was the fifth and final lead change which proved the difference though, as Mason rallied from a 22-20 deficit with five straight points to take set three and a 2-1 lead in the match.

The fourth and final set was another close affair, as neither team led by more than two points until the Seahawks opened a 18-15 lead. However, the Patriots scored the next eight points to gain control of the set and the match for good, earning their second conference win after opening the CAA slate 0-for-3.

The Patriots will look to move to .500 in conference play next weekend when they host Towson on Friday at 7 p.m., followed by a matchup with Delaware on Saturday at 7 p.m. Both matches will be played at the Field House.