Score: VCU 3, George Mason 1 (26-24, 15-25, 25-21, 25-22)
Location: Richmond, Va. (Stuart C. Siegel Center)
Records: VCU 9-8 (7-2 Atlantic 10), George Mason 14-6 (7-2)
 
The short story: Sophomore middle blocker Letizia Galli turned in an impressive performance up front to help VCU bounce back for a 3-1 win over George Mason Saturday night at the Siegel Center.
 
OPENING VOLLEY

• Galli blasted 11 kills on just 17 swings, hitting .588 on the night. She also provided eight blocks, including a pair of solos to spearhead a dominant VCU effort in the middle
• Senior Kalina Pylinska led the Rams with 15 kills on the night. She added six digs and four blocks
• Senior Julia Rienks also provided 12 kills, nine digs and four blocks for the Black and Gold, while graduate libero Haruka Sugimoto contributed 20 digs from the back line
• Avery Booker led all players with 16 kills for the Patriots 

THE DIFFERENCE

• VCU's blocking corps paved the way. The Rams outblocked Mason 15-4 on the night. The Black and Gold also held the Patriots to a .137 hitting percentage. George Mason was plagued by 29 hitting errors in the match
• The Rams fought off set point in the first when a Kalina kill tied the frame up 24-all. Rienks helped finish things off with a block (with Galli) and a kill in the next two plays. Rienks supplied four kills and four blocks in the first set alone
• VCU responded to a Mason win in the second by hitting .250 in the third on the way to a 25-21 win

NOTABLE
VCU avenged a 3-1 loss to the Patriots on Friday with Saturday's victory. The Rams have won six of their past seven matches
 
NEXT UP
VCU will welcome Loyola Chicago to the Siegel Center for a pair of matches Oct. 24-25. Both matches will stream on ESPN+. Friday's contest is set to get underway at 6 p.m.