GEORGE MASON OUTLASTS VCU, 3-2
10-2-09
Box Score

FAIRFAX, Va. – Junior Lenka Melicharkova (Zlin, Czech Republic) was one of several Virginia Commonwealth University players to post  gaudy statistics, dishing 58 assists with 21 digs, but it couldn’t halt upstart George Mason, which outlasted the Rams, 3-2 (25-21, 25-27, 25-23, 25-27, 15-11) Friday evening.

VCU, which rode into Fairfax on a four-match win streak, slipped to 12-6 on the year and 1-2 in Colonial Athletic Association play. George Mason, picked seventh in the CAA Preseason Coaches Poll, extended its strong start, as it improved to 13-5 overall, and 2-1 in league action.

The Rams fought their way to a 25-21 victory in the fourth set to force a decisive fifth period. However, VCU couldn’t find its rhythm and hit -.074 in the frame, a mark that included seven hitting errors.

Melicharkova’s 58 assists fueled a VCU attack that hit .180 on the evening. Freshman Michala Kvapilova (Liberec, Czech Republic) was Melicharkova’s main beneficiary, ripping a match-high 19 kills, while hitting .208. Kvapilova added 14 digs. Junior Kelsie Clegg (Boise, Idaho) (pictured, above) recorded 14 kills and hit .387 for the Black and Gold.

Noelle Fanella sparked the Patriots with 18 kills. She hit .359, while Laura Turner added 12 kills and hit .440 for George Mason. The Patriots, the CAA’s top blocking team, recorded 13.5 on Friday, including seven from Kelsey Bohman.

The match was also marked by VCU’s persistent defense. The Rams were credited with 98 digs in the contest, the program’s most since recording 101 against William & Mary in 2007. Emerging freshman Marisa Low (Carlsbad, Calif.) led the way with a career-best 29 kills, an average of nearly six per set.

The Rams will regroup and aim for a weekend split on Saturday, Oct. 3, when they face James Madison in Harrisonburg, Va. at 7 p.m.