FAIRFAX, Va. (Mar. 20, 2008) – The Saint Francis men's volleyball team has ended the season of George Mason in the EIVA semifinals each of the past two seasons. However, the Red Flash couldn't find any of that magic in dropping a 3-1 EIVA Tait Division match against the 11th-ranked Patriots on Thursday night in Fairfax.
SFU had won five straight matches against Mason and looked to be in good shape after winning Game 1, 30-27. However, the Patriots rebounded to win the next three games, 30-25, 30-25 and 30-27, to get revenge on an early season loss and each of the past four losses over the last two seasons.
The Red Flash have now dropped five straight matches, and look to bounce back when they return to the comforts of DeGol Arena to face Ohio State and Ball State on Mar. 29th and 30th, respectively. SFU has won four straight matches on its home court.
Against George Mason, sophomore Jordan Varee (Meadville, Pa. / Conneaut Valley) led the way with 17 kills and 8 digs. Sophomore Dave Reilly (Yardley, Pa. / Pennsbury) had 15 kills and 6 digs, and senior Mark Steele (Martinsburg, Pa. / Central Martinsburg) added 29 assists and 2 digs.
The Red Flash got off to a good start, jumping out to a 28-21 lead in the first game. However, Mason reeled off six consecutive points to cut the lead to one point. A Saint Francis kill and a Patriots attack error clinched the game.
SFU would again jump out in Game 2, but Mason tied the score midway through and went on to a 30-25 victory to even the match at one apiece. The Patriots took an early lead in Game 3 and never trailed on their way to another 30-25 win.
Saint Francis took an early 7-4 lead in Game 4, hoping to tie the match up at two games each. However, the Patriots scored the game's next seven points to take an 11-7 lead they would never relinquish.
