FAIRFAX, VA. – In their final game of the six-game road stand, the Queens University of Charlotte men's volleyball (6-7, 2-1 IVA) team took the George Mason Patriots (4-6, 0-4 EIVA) to a fifth set before falling short, 3-2 on Saturday night. The Royals fall to 0-2 against the Patriots all-time and 1-2 in five set matches this season.
 
The evening opened with the Patriots grabbing the first four points. However, Queens would respond with small rallies and work their way into the game before taking the lead 19-18 following a three-point swing. The Royals would close on a 3-0 run to grab the pivotal opening set 25-21. The Royals would tally 12 kills in the opening set behind a .364 hitting percentage while George Mason hit .296 with 11 kills.
 
The second set saw the Patriots turn the page jumping out to a quick 11-5 lead. The Royals would respond with a 6-2 surge later in the set to close the deficit to 15-12, but the Patriots countered with a 6-1 rally to gain a 21-13 lead. The set seemingly appeared over, but Queens was not done yet as they answered with a 7-2 push and closed the gap to 23-20. George Mason would lock down the final two points and grab the second set 25-21. In the second, the Patriots were successful tallying six service aces.
 
The third set saw the Patriots take an early 6-1 lead behind a pair of kills, two aces, and capitalizing on two attack errors. The errors mounted up for the visiting Royals as the Patriots lead grew to as much as nine at 22-13. Queens would respond with a 4-0 run, but the damage was done as the Patriots took the third set 25-17. Despite the Patriots only hitting .179 in the set, Queens committed eight attack errors and three service errors.
 
Looking to send the match into a fifth set with a victory in the fourth, Queens played well to open the set garnering kills and capitalizing on Patriots service errors. The Patriots lead would grow to as much as 17-12 before the Royals responded with an unbelievable response. Queens rattled off an 8-0 run to grab a 20-17. The Royals would alternate points with the Patriots and closed with three straight points to win the fourth set 25-20 and send the match into a deciding fifth set. Queens flipped the script from the previous set by hitting .286 with 12 kills while the Patriots committed eight attacking errors.
 
 
The fifth set opened with the Patriots grabbing a 6-2 lead and seeing it grow to as much as 9-3 despite the Royals getting the first two points. Queens would respond with a 6-1 run and bridge the gap to 10-8, but the Patriots would counter with a closing 5-2 run to grab the five-set victory.
 
Daniel Leitao led the Royals across the board with his third double-double of the season following a 13 kill and 11 dig performance. Stirling Sims would lead the Royals with a career-high 14 kills while adding five block assists. Three Patriots recorded double digit kills, including a game-high 18 from Omar Hoyos. Hoyos would also lead the evening with five of the Patriots 15 service aces.
 
Queens will return to Charlotte for a pair of home matches next week beginning Thursday, Feb. 24 at 7:00 p.m. against Limestone University. Queens will then turnaround and welcome crosstown rival Belmont Abbey to Curry Arena on Friday for a 7:00 p.m. start. Be sure to follow the Royals men's volleyball program on Instagram to stay up to date on all the latest news and updates surrounding the team. Fans are also encouraged to follow Queens Athletics on social media @QueensAthletics to follow all of the Royals sports in action.