VCU RALLIES PAST GEORGE MASON, 3-2; RAMS IN CAA DRIVER’S SEAT
11-7-09
Box Score

RICHMOND, Va. – Freshman Michala Kvapilova (Liberec, Czech Republic) (pictured, left) blasted eight of her 19 kills in the final two sets to spearhead Virginia Commonwealth University’s 3-2 (25-17, 22-25, 13-25, 25-15, 15-13) come-from-behind victory over George Mason Saturday at the Verizon Wireless Arena.

VCU has won seven straight and improves to 22-8 overall and 10-2 in the Colonial Athletic Association. The Rams have pulled even with Delaware for first place in the CAA. However, VCU owns the tiebreaker with the Blue Hens, by virtue of its 3-2 victory earlier this season.

George Mason slipped to 20-8 overall and 9-4 in CAA play.

Kvapilova hit .750 in the final two sets and did not record an error as the Rams hit .393 and .292, respectively. Freshman Marisa Low (Carlsbad, Calif.) was critical at libero Saturday, registering 20 digs, many in spectacular fashion.

The Rams were teetering on disaster by the end of the third set, as they watched the Patriots record eight blocks in a 25-13 blowout to take a 2-1 advantage in the match.

However, VCU was able to refocus and pick up a victory that may end up deciding the CAA regular season champion.

“We were ready to play today, but Mason made some great adjustments,” VCU Head Coach James Finley said. “A lot of teams, when you get beat like that in game three will fold. But the girls were determined not to let this one get away. I’m proud of the way they gutted it out in game four to give us a chance.”

Also for VCU, junior Mariel Frey (Lititz, Pa.) logged 11 kills and 18 digs, while senior Ivana Rich (Cumberland, Va.) kicked in 10 kills and .450.

Holly Goode sparked George Mason with 13 kills, 15 digs and seven blocks. Kelsey Bohman added 11 kills and nine blocks, including six in the third set alone.