NEW YORK – Off a thrilling five-set victory over the Patriots Saturday, A grueling three set battle Sunday afternoon saw Fordham University Volleyball send George Mason to extra points twice, but fell in straight sets.
Controlling the opening frame most of the way, George Mason would open with a 25-18, but the rest of the afternoon would be held much tighter the rest of the way, going to extra points the next two sets. Set two would see the teams flip-flop the score start-to-finish, with the Patriots pulling away late to survive a Fordham rally, winning 27-25 to go up 2-0.
Fordham would keep things close in the third set as well, holding the lead late, but losing the advantage point late, falling 26-24 to split the weekend series with George Mason, as the Rams fall to 5-11 on the year and 1-6 in Atlantic 10 Conference play.
In her second straight match with exactly 18 kills, Whitley Moody led the Rams attack, which drilled 35 kills over the course of Sunday afternoon. Zoe Talabong would put down four hammers, ahead of four different Rams with three apiece. Whitney Woodrow would toss all but one of Fordham's 32 assists, along with a team high 19 digs, followed by Talabong with 16. Sophia Kuyn would lead the block with a pair of solos and one block assists, and Lorenza Rosenkilde would tally four block assists as well.
Trailing by one at 16-15, Fordham would keep pace with George Mason from the jump, until a quick run saw the Patriots take a five point lead, pulling away to take a seven point victory.
Moody would drill eight of her 18 kills in just the second set, a back and forth affair, with the teams tying on 14 occasions, and traded the lead eight times. Fordham would take a five point lead at 17-12, but would see the Patriots rally back to take the lead at 22-21, and would fend off set point for a moment, before conceding 27-25 to fall behind 2-0.
In the third set, Fordham would pull away early, extending as much as a six point lead midway through the frame, answered slowly by George Mason, which evened the score at 18-all, Fordham would take back the lead, getting two opportunities at set point to extend the match, before four straight points by the visitors saw them pull away for the straight set win.
The Rams head to Pittsburgh, Pa. this weekend for a pair of matches at Duquesne Friday and Saturday with both matches airing live on ESPN+.
