Davidson Can’t Outlast George Mason, Falls in Five

Sunday, October 19

Davidson, N.C.

1:00 p.m.

Davidson College Athletics

3-14, 1-6 A-10

George Mason

6-14, 2-5 A-10

Team	1	2	3	4	5	Final F
George Mason	25	23	24	25	15	3
Davidson	23	25	26	18	10	2

Davidson Can’t Outlast George Mason, Falls in Five

10/19/2014 4:29:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

Photo Gallery | DavidsonPhotos.com

DAVIDSON, N.C. – The Davidson women's volleyball team took a two sets to one lead against Atlantic 10 foe George Mason, but the Patriots rallied to drop the Wildcats 3-2 Sunday afternoon at Belk Arena. The defeat came by set scores of 25-23, 23-25, 24-26, 25-18, 15-10.

Three Wildcats scored double-digit kills led by Rachel Earnhardt's 14. Hannah Rau notched her seventh double-double of the year with 11 kills and 13 digs, while Michelle McNeight chipped in 10 kills. Emily Franklin had six blocks with Mary Harriett Moore and McNeight adding three blocks apiece. Morgan Shannon turned in 26 digs to pace the defense.

George Mason (6-14, 2-5 A-10) received 13 kills from Lolade Owokoniran and Jessie Greenslade, while Morghn Martin chipped in nine. Kelly Schaller dished out 27 assists to lead the Patriots to a .203 hitting percentage.

The Patriots jumped out to a quick 7-3 advantage to open things up, but a 6-2 sprint from the Wildcats during a Rau service run allowed Davidson to climb back in and take a 9-8 lead. From there, a flurry of points were scored in an incredibly back-and-forth affair, eventually seeing both sides tied at 23-23, but a pair of Mason kills fended off the 'Cats in a tightly contested first set, 25-23.

The second set proved to be just as exciting with large runs coming from both sides. Davidson scorched out to a 10-3 advantage thanks in part to a few Mason errors and a lengthy Katriana Romanelli service run. The Patriots attempted to make things interesting, climbing back within two points, 13-11, but the Wildcats kept their foot on the gas. Kills from Rau and McNeight kept the distance, while Kylie Bishopp ended things with a set-clinching kill to give Davidson a 25-23 victory to even the ledger at 1-1.

George Mason took its turn to open the third set up 14-4 with a string of kills, but a Shannon service run – featuring a pair of aces – eventually gave Davidson a 20-19 lead. The two squads traded points down the stretch, but a McNeight kill and a Mason attack error gave the 'Cats their second win, 26-24.

Davidson and Mason kept things close to open the fourth frame, eventually hitting a 7-7 tie. From there, however, the Patriots took a 15-11 lead and didn't look back as a 4-1 GMU run closed things out in the fourth stanza, 25-18, forcing a deciding fifth set.

In the race to 15 points, it was George Mason, which got things going first. After opening up a 5-0 advantage, Mason eventually took a 12-5 lead. Earnhardt was a force to be reckoned with for Davidson to close the match, earning the 'Cats' final four points with timely kills, but Mason used a slew of Davidson attack errors to put things away, 15-10.

Davidson will return to action next weekend as it travels to Fordham and Rhode Island. The Wildcats and Fordham Rams will first take to the court Friday, Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. before Davidson visits the Rhode Island Rams on Oct. 25 at 6 p.m. Both matches will be available via the Atlantic 10 Network.