The George Mason University men’s volleyball team is set to play two away games in North Carolina this weekend. The Patriots will face Queens University of Charlotte at the Levine Center on Friday, March 6, at 6 p.m., and then travel to Belmont Abbey College for a match at the Wheeler Center on Saturday, March 7, at 4 p.m.
Last weekend, George Mason improved its record to 9-6 overall and 2-2 in the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) by winning both home matches. On Friday, the team defeated No. 19 NJIT with a score of 3-1. Sophomore pin hitter Aidan Weltin and junior outside hitter Robert Evangelista each recorded 15 kills. Senior setter Georgi Zahariev registered a season-high 53 assists, just one short of his career best.
On Sunday, the Patriots secured a sweep against Dominican. Sophomore middle blocker Alexander Lillie tied his season high with two solo blocks and led the match in both blocks (3.5) and service aces (2).
Zahariev was recognized for his performance last week by being named EIVA Offensive Player of the Week and later received national recognition as the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) National Collegiate Men’s Player of the Week. “Zahariev is the 57th EIVA student-athlete to earn the AVCA national award and marks the 10th time a Patriot has won it,” according to George Mason Athletics. He is also noted as “the first from the EIVA since Penn State’s John Kerr on April 21, 2024 and first from George Mason since Jack Bolz on March 31, 2024.” Zahariev currently leads the EIVA with an average of 10.02 assists per set.
For their first game this weekend, George Mason will meet Queens University of Charlotte (6-10 overall; 1-7 MIVA), which is currently experiencing a five-game losing streak after starting their season strong at 4-1. Their most recent win was a five-set victory over No.11 Ohio State on February 15. Sophomore outside hitter Casey Maas leads Queens with 150 kills this season.
In terms of previous encounters between these teams, George Mason holds a perfect record against Queens at 3-0. Their last meeting took place on January 23, 2025, with George Mason winning in four sets.
The second matchup features Belmont Abbey College (9-2 overall; 5-1 Conference Carolinas), who lead their conference standings and have won five out of their last six games. Senior outside hitter Caden Day leads Belmont Abbey with 152 kills this season.
George Mason previously played Belmont Abbey only once before—on January 6, 2017—in which they won in straight sets.
After these road games, George Mason will return home next week for two more matches: against Barton College on Friday, March 13 at Recreation Athletics Complex (RAC), followed by Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) on Sunday.
