FAIRFAX, VA. – The University of Charleston Golden Eagles kicked off their 2021 campaign against EIVA contender George Mason University in a Friday night match. UC made an astonishing comeback by winning sets three and four to tie the match 2-2 but unfortunately fell to the Patriots 3-2.  

JUST THE BASICS 
Location: Fairfax, VA – Recreational Athletic Complex 
Score: Charleston: 3 George Mason: 2 
Records: Charleston: (0-1, 0-1 EIVA), George Mason: (4-1, 1-0 EIVA) 

HOW IT HAPPENED 
Charleston fell behind 1-0 as the Patriots took the first set by a score of 25-20. Charleston had 10 kills on 35 attempts with seven errors. George Mason had 15 kills on 36 attempts with three errors netting them a .333 hitting percentage. Charleston fell to 2-0 after the second set. The Golden Eagles tallied eight kills on 22 attempts George Mason notched 11 kills on 18 attempts with only 4 errors. 

The Golden Eagles battled their way through the third set, as neither team led by more than four points. Ian Barker notched a kill to make the score 20-18, and the Golden Eagles would never look back scoring on three straight attempts to bring the score to 22-19. Sophomore Andrew Klein sealed the deal for the Golden Eagles with an ace for the set point. Charleston took the set by a score of 25-20. 

Charleston would prevail in the fourth set to tie the match 2-2. The match will end with a score of 25-22 to keep the Golden Eagles alive. The Golden Eagles had a hitting percentage of .367 on 15 kills with 30 attempts, four errors. The Golden Eagles again rallied late in the set after a close battle between the two teams. UC capitalized on a service error from Brad Creamer giving them the 24-21 lead. The Patriots closed the gap to 24-22, but it was again Klein who finished the set for Charleston.  

In the tie breaker set, George Mason controlled the game in the fifth set ultimately coming out with the victory score of 15-10.  UC had 10 kills on 23 attempts with two errors coming to a percentage of .348. George Mason had 12 kills on 25 attempts.  

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES 
Maarten Bartels had 10 kills on 33 attempts with eight errors giving him a percentage of .061 on the night to lead the Golden Eagles. Nathan Cartier had 10 kills on 27 attempts with five errors giving him a percentage of .185. Also, Diego Villafane lead the game with 38 assists. 

--UC--