Score: George Mason 3, VCU 1 (25-12, 15-25, 25-20, 25-22)
Location: Richmond, Va. (Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 8-8 (6-2 Atlantic 10), George Mason 14-5 (7-1)
 
The short story: Senior Kalina Pylinska supplied 11 kills for VCU, but it wasn't enough for the Rams to hold off a late charge from George Mason Friday night at the Siegel Center.
 
OPENING VOLLEY

• Pylinska also served up four aces – all in one sequence in the second set – to bolster the Black and Gold
• Senior Julia Rienks added nine kills for the Rams, while graduate libero Haruka Sugimoto supplied 19 digs
• Junior Nina Boledovicova and sophomore Letizia Galli chipped in seven kills apiece for the Black and Gold. Galli registered three blocks
• Kiera Hamilton sparked the Patriots with a match-high 19 kills

THE DIFFERENCE

• VCU was unable to get on track offensively for much of the night. The Rams hit .123 in the contest. George Mason hit .180
• The Patriots also owned a 12-7 edge in blocks
• The Rams rallied from a slow start with a dominant, 25-15 win in the second set. VCU smothered the Patriots defensively. Mason hit -.061 in the frame
• The third set proved to be critical. VCU led much of the way, but three George Mason blocks keyed an 8-2 blitz down the stretch on the way to a 25-20 Mason win

NOTABLE

• VCU saw its season-high five match win streak snapped Friday
• Pylinska served up eight consecutive VCU points in the second set

NEXT UP
The Rams and Patriots will square off again Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Siegel Center. That match will stream live on ESPN+.