SportsVolleyball

Spikers feel power of Div. I George Mason

Sophomore middlehitter J.R. Gonsalves reaches for an overpass Monday night against George Mason University. The men’s volleyball team played hard, but lost in three games, 15-6, 15-9 and 15-2. Tuesday night, the Leos played at San Diego State and lost, 15-7, 15-4 and 15-7. / photo by Melissa A. Collett
Sophomore middlehitter J.R. Gonsalves reaches for an overpass Monday night against George Mason University. The men’s volleyball team played hard, but lost in three games, 15-6, 15-9 and 15-2. Tuesday night, the Leos played at San Diego State and lost, 15-7, 15-4 and 15-7. / photo by Melissa A. Collett

by David Sutton
Sports Editor

Power seems to be the key to victory in Division I volleyball. The University of La Verne men’s team is still trying to find the power that will make them more competitive at that level.

On Monday night, 10th-ranked George Mason University put on a display of power, sweeping La Verne in three straight games, 15-6, 15-9, 15-2.

“At this level it takes big digs and blocks,” said Head Coach Don Flora.

The first game was close at the beginning. Despite the hard hitting by George Mason, La Verne hung tough.

When George Mason was called for a net violation, La Verne came within one point, making the score 3-2. The Leos made many mistakes in the game. If a scoreboard was not in the gym, one could have easily thought La Verne was losing severely.

But the Leos made the most out of the chances they did get. Although George Mason was ranked, they were not perfect. After losing the serve, they showed signs of weakness. Net violations and two-hit violations helped La Verne tie the score, 5-5.

“We played well. We put balls away and they made the response,” said Flora.

Play time was over for George Mason. They got back to the basics—hard hitting and pinpoint accuracy. Their serves seemed to curl over the net and land where they wanted them to. They increased their lead to 12-5.

La Verne scored one more time during the game when a soft tip fell in for a point. George Mason then scored two quick points to win, 15-6.

Game two of the match was more of the same thing. La Verne had no answer for the power of their opponent. Confusion among the Leos seemed evident.

La Verne showed hustle throughout. Senior Kevin Graves and freshman Derek Boyle collided while chasing down a ball. Graves had to temporally leave the game, but did return.

Down 10-0, La Verne got its first point of the game when George Mason had a two-hit violation.

La Verne then ran off six straight points, to bring the score to 10-7. George Mason violations allowed the Leos to get back into the game. The hustle was still in the Leos with many players diving in attempts to come up with digs.
George Mason clinched the game with a hairline ace that landed just inside of the back line.

In game three, La Verne appeared to be tired. The constant barrage of hard shots had taken their toll on the Leos. George Mason jumped out to a 11-0 lead and never looked back. After a net violation and a block by senior Mitch Morris, the score was 11-2.

George Mason did not let the Leos get any closer. They scored four more points to win the game, 15-2, and the match.

Flora said that the tough competition is making his team better. He also feels that they are headed in the right direction.

Ten of La Verne’s last 15 games include Top 15 opponents. The Leos face two more tough opponents in the upcoming week. Tomorrow they host Ohio State and San Diego State comes to the Supertents on Monday.

“It may be March madness for basketball but I think it is March craziness for La Verne’s volleyball team,” said Flora.

David Sutton
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Melissa A. Collett
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