VCU’s blocking and efficiency carry Rams past George Mason

VCU won the final two sets to beat George Mason 3–1 Friday, October 16, at the Recreation & Athletic Complex in Fairfax. The Rams took the match 27–25, 20–25, 25–17 and 25–15.

After the Patriots answered a close opening-set loss by winning the second, their attack struggled in the last two frames. Mason hit .033 in the third and below zero in the fourth, finishing with 33 attack errors against 50 kills.

VCU hit .300 and recorded 13 team blocks, compared with Mason’s .121 hitting percentage and five blocks. Lara Del Core led the Rams with 14 kills, while Letizia Galli and Molly McCall added 11 each. Galli contributed one solo block and eight block assists.

Kiera Hamilton had 18 kills and 10 digs for Mason. Nia Thompson added 11 kills, Ava Cheney supplied 29 assists, and Autumn Martinez-Robinson finished with 19 digs and three aces. Cansin Sendir had 38 assists and 15 digs for VCU.

The Rams improved to 8–8 overall and 6–2 in the Atlantic 10. Mason fell to 13–7 and 5–3. The teams finish the series Saturday, October 17.