FAIRFAX, Va.  (April 8, 2011) – The George Mason men's volleyball team got contributions from 11 different players on Friday night as the Patriots handed Saint Francis a 3-0 defeat.

Eric Syty (Clarence, NY/Clarence) had a team-high 10 kills and two errors on 14 attacks and 3 blocks to lead the Red Flash, who fell to 10-14 overall, and 3-7 in the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Tait Division. They will return to action at 6 p.m. on Saturday night when they play host to Sacred Heart at 6 p.m. at DeGol Arena. Alex Kane (York, Pa./West York) came off the bench to add nine kills on 19 swings to go along with 3 blocks.

Mark Jones had 16 kills and hit .583 while Brandon Joyner played both middle blocker and setter as the Patriots took a 25-18, 25-20, 25-17 EIVA win.

“George Mason was just the better team tonight,” said Saint Francis head coach Michael Rumbaugh. “They passed extremely well and their offense was running on all cylinders. It wasn't a disastrous night for us, but George Mason was simply the better team. We've got a big home match against Sacred Heart tomorrow, and I'm confident out guys will bounce back with a strong effort.”

The Patriots (15-9, 7-2 EIVA) hit a season-high .514 in the match as Michael Kvidahl added 12 kills and a .556 hitting percentage and Joyner had five kills and no errors on seven attacks to hit .714. Joyner had 13 assists in one game as a setter and he added six blocks. Javier Perez had 27 assists as no Patriot made more than two attack errors.

The first set saw the Patriots pull away early as they turned a two-point lead at 8-6 into a five-point edge at 11-6. The Red Flash got to within three at 13-10 but no closer. Brandon Joyner 's serve late in the set put the Patriots up 23-14 and after Saint Francis ran off three straight points, Mason closed out the set, 25-18.

The second set was much closer and the Red Flash held a 16-14 lead before Javier Perez stepped to the service line and helped Mason to a 7-0 run. Once ahead 21-16, the Patriots were able to just match Saint Francis point for point in winning the set, 25-20.

The final set was never in doubt. Mason used Eric Lucas' serve to turn a 3-3 game into a comfortable 10-3 lead. From that point on, the closest the Red Flash got was at 18-14. The third set saw Mason post a .542 attack percentage as they improved to 10-2 at home.

 

For all the latest information, notes, pictures and related links on Saint Francis men's volleyball, follow Director of Athletic Communications Bob Volkert on Twitter (@SFUVolkert) and check www.SFUathletics.com. The Red Flash are also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SFUAthletics.