Score: George Washington 3, VCU 2 (22-25, 17-25, 25-19, 25-22, 17-15)
Location: Richmond, Va. (Stuart C. Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 14-16 (9-9 Atlantic 10), George Washington 17-14 (11-7)
 
The short story: A big day by senior right side Jovana Vukcevic nearly carried VCU, but the Rams couldn't hold off hard-charging George Washington Sunday in the regular season finale for both squads. VCU has secured the No. 6 seed in the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament Nov. 18-20 in St. Louis, Mo.
 
OPENING VOLLEY

• Vukcevic recorded a season-high 19 kills for VCU, while hitting .238 in 42 attempts. She also registered a career-high nine blocks for the Black and Gold
• Sophomore outside hitter Kialah Jefferson turned in her best match of the season for VCU with 14 kills, 24 digs, two aces and two blocks, while hitting .257
• Sophomore setter Corinna Jones handed out a career-best 49 assists and dug 22 balls for the Rams, while junior middle Sarah Stratton provided nine blocks, eight kills and two aces
• Brittany Myers led the Colonials with 16 kills 

THE DIFFERENCE

• VCU built a 2-0 lead in the match, but could not hold off George Washington. The Colonials held VCU to a -.029 hitting percentage in the third set before edging out the Rams in close fourth and fifth frames
• The Rams were turned away on the doorstep of victory. VCU took a 14-13 lead in the fifth on a GW hitting error and a kill by Vukcevic, but a short time later the Colonials used a Salem Yohannes kill and a VCU net violation to secure a wild, 17-15 win
• VCU also led 20-18 in the fourth following three straight kills by Stratton, Jefferson and Bentley, respectively. But George Washington answered with four straight points and later got a kill by Liv Womble and a double block from Myers and Addie Feek to grab a 25-22 victory

NOTABLE

• VCU owned a 102-77 advantage in digs and a 17 to 13.5 margin in blocks. Both teams hit .174
• VCU and George Washington split the weekend series

NEXT UP
Sixth-seeded VCU will take on third-seeded and defending champion Dayton in the first round of the A-10 Tournament on Friday, Nov. 18 at 4:30 p.m. (EST). The Rams and Flyers split a pair of meetings earlier this season. All A-10 Tournament games will be available on ESPN+.