Conference News
George Mason Men's Volleyball Hosts Harvard in First
Round of EIVA Championship
Mason enters the tournament as the fifth seed
FAIRFAX, Va. (April 21, 2009) - George Mason will host Harvard in
the first round of the EIVA Championship Tournament on Wednesday at
7 p.m. at the Field House. The Patriots enter the conference
tournament as the fifth seed, while the Crimson took the
conference's eighth seed.
Mason wrapped up the regular season with a 12-15 overall record and
5-7 mark in EIVA Tait Division matches. Harvard finished second in
the Hay Division at 11-7 overall and 6-2 in conference play. The
winner of Wednesday's first round match will advance to the
quarterfinals, and will take on fourth-seeded Springfield College
on Saturday, April 25 at 7 p.m. in Springfield, Mass.
The Patriots are led by senior opposite hitter Kyle Gramit, a
Second-Team AVCA All-American last season, who ranks in the top-10
in the nation in both aces per set and kills per set. Gramit is
fifth in the country in aces per set with an average of 0.51 and
ninth in kills per set with an average of 4.76.
Mason's defense has been tough on opponents all season long,
finishing second in the nation behind UC Irvine in blocks per set
with an average of 3.51. Senior Brandon McLaughlin finished the
season tied for third in the country with an average of 1.45 blocks
per set.
Harvard senior middle blocker Brady Weissbourd will attempt to
break down Mason's defense. Weissbourd ranks seventh in the nation
in kills per set (5.18) and fourth in aces per set (0.54).
Tickets to Wednesday's match cost $5 for adults and $2 for youth
and senior citizens. All full-time enrolled students at George
Mason University will be admitted free with a valid Mason student
ID.
2009 EIVA CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT
EIVA First Round
Wednesday, April 22
No. 7 Rutgers-Newark at No. 6 Princeton, 7 p.m.
No. 8 Harvard at No. 5 George Mason, 7 p.m.
EIVA Quarterfinals
Saturday, April 25
Winner of 7 vs. 6 at No. 3 Saint Francis, 7 p.m.
Winner of 8 vs. 5 at No. 4 Springfield, 7 p.m.
EIVA Semifinals (Hosted at Penn State's Rec Hall)
Thursday, April 30
Winner of 7/6/3 vs. No. 2 Juniata, 4:30 p.m.
Winner of 8/5/4 at No. 1 Penn State, 7:30 p.m.
EIVA Championship (Hosted at Penn State's Rec Hall)
Saturday, May 2
Winner of 7/6/3/2 vs. Winner of 8/5/4/1, 7 p.m.
EIVA Championship Seeding
1. Penn State
2. Juniata
3. Saint Francis
4. Springfield
5. George Mason
6. Princeton
7. Rutgers-Newark
8. Harvard