Score: VCU 3, George Mason 1 (25-16, 25-15, 18-25, 25-19)
Location: Richmond, Va. (Siegel Center)
Records: 7-9 (3-1 Atlantic 10), George Mason 2-12 (0-3)
 
The short story: Freshman outside hitter Kialah Jefferson fired 12 kills to help VCU build an early lead on the way to a four-set win over George Mason Friday. The win was also the 169^th of Head Coach Jody Rogers' VCU tenure, which tied her with Wendy Wadsworth for the most in program history.
 
OPENING VOLLEY

• Jefferson hit .207 on 29 attempts and added four blocks to her evening, including one solo
• Junior middle blocker Sabria Cooper also supplied 12 kills, while hitting .381 on 21 swings, for the Rams. She also provided a block
• Junior outside hitter Qairo Bentley added 10 kills and 11 digs, as well as a pair of blocks, for the Black and Gold, while senior libero Alyna Draper supplied 16 digs.
• VCU sophomore middle blocker Kylie Loftis was efficient, with eight kills in 21 tries and five blocks
• Olyvia Kennedy provided nine kills and six digs for the Patriots

THE DIFFERENCE

• VCU hit .357 and .438 in the first and second sets, respectively, on the way to a 2-0 lead in the match
• The Rams held George Mason to a .159 hitting percentage, due in part to a 60-53 advantage in digs and a 10 to 9.5 edge in blocks
• VCU turned away any potential drama in the match when the Rams opened the fourth set with an 9-4 run, sparked by four Bentley kills. VCU eventually pushed out to a 19-11 lead on the way to a 25-19 victory

NOTABLE

• Rogers is 169-85 at the helm of the VCU program in nine seasons, including 73-24 in A-10 play. Rogers has racked up 575 wins overall in 25 seasons as a collegiate coach. Wadsworth, who led the program during its formative days in the 1980s, was 169-167 in seven seasons
•  Bentley's double-double was her fourth of the season
• VCU has won seven of the past eight meetings with George Mason

NEXT UP
VCU will take on George Washington on Sunday. Oct. 3 at 1 p.m. at the Siegel Center