The George Mason University men’s volleyball team saw its four-game winning streak come to an end after a straight-set loss to Belmont Abbey College on Saturday at the Wheeler Center in Belmont, North Carolina.
Despite recording more kills (37-32), assists (35-32), and digs (23-20) than their opponent, the Patriots were hindered by a lower hitting percentage (.122 compared to .310) and committed 26 total errors. Belmont Abbey finished with eight blocks, while George Mason had just one.
Junior outside hitter Robert Evangelista led the Patriots with 11 kills, narrowly trailing Belmont Abbey’s Caden Day who posted a game-high 12 kills. Sophomore middle blocker Alexander Lillie contributed seven kills without any errors on ten attempts for a .700 hitting percentage and also registered the team’s only solo block in the third set. Senior middle blocker Elijah Lazor matched Lillie’s kill count and achieved a .417 hitting percentage. Junior setter Gabe Metcalf paced George Mason with 16 assists and three digs.
In the first set, George Mason started strong but eventually fell 27-25 as errors mounted—twelve in total during that set alone. The teams traded leads multiple times before Belmont Abbey secured the win behind consecutive kills from Zach Puentes.
The second set saw Belmont Abbey take control early and maintain their lead throughout, finishing with a 25-19 scoreline. Hayden Karpinski recorded his first service ace of the season for George Mason during this frame.
Belmont Abbey continued its momentum into the third set, capitalizing on Patriot attack errors and securing an early lead that they never relinquished. The final point came off a service error by Metcalf, closing out the match at 25-18.
“Hats off to a good Belmont Abbey team,” said head coach Jay Hosack. “They took it to us and we had no response at all. We have to learn from tonight and earn respect from our opponents moving forward.”
George Mason now stands at 10-7 overall (2-2 EIVA). The team will return home next week for two matches: Barton College on Friday, March 13 at 6 p.m., followed by FDU on Sunday at 2 p.m., concluding their home-and-home series with the Knights.
