HOFSTRA FALLS TO GEORGE MASON

10/16/2009 9:00:00 PM

Hempstead, NY - Senior outside hitter Monica Knight posted 12 kills and added seven digs, but it was not enough as Hofstra fell to George Mason in three sets (23-25, 16-25, 24-26) on Friday evening at the Physical Fitness Center.

Hofstra fell to 7-16 and 2-4 in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play, while George Mason improved to 15-6 and 4-2 in conference action.

Holly Goode led George Mason with an impressive 19 kills, while Noelle Fanella added 10 kills.

In the first set Hofstra rallied to even the score at 22 following a kill senior setter Chrissey Cruz, but the Patriots got back-to-back kills from Fanella to take a 24-22 lead en route to a 25-23 victory after a Pride attack error.

George Mason broke a seven-all tie in the second stanza with a 4-0 run and would never look back in posting a nine-point victory. The Patriots hit at a .444 clip to cruise to the win, while getting four kills from Goode in the set.

Hofstra battled hard in the final set as they fought off three match points down 24-21, including a kill and a service ace from Knight, before a putaway from Goode broke the 24-all tie. The Patriots would put an end to the match on the next point as Fernanda Bartels and Laura Turner teamed up on a block to allow George Mason to escape with the 26-24 victory and the three-set sweep.

Cruz finished with 25 assists for the Pride, while freshman libero Kylee Maneja added 10 digs.

Bartels posted a match-high 32 assists for George Mason and Rebecca Walter had 12 digs to lead all players.

Hofstra returns to action on Sunday when they host James Madison at 1 p.m.

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