The Bison secured a 3-1 win during their season opener against the George Mason University Patriots on Aug. 30 at Burr Gymnasium.
The Bison were aggressive as soon as they hit the court with a flurry of blocks that shut down the Patriots repeatedly and powerful hits from the front row, keeping George Mason on their toes for the entirety of the four sets.
The Bison are coming off a season in which they had a conference record of 11-3. During the MEAC Tournament, the team swept Morgan State University and Delaware State University in 3-0 wins but fell to Coppin State University in the MEAC title match with a final score of 0-3.
The team also attended the National Invitational Volleyball Championship but fell to St. John’s University in the first round with a final score of 0-3.
“I feel like with the loss last season it’s been on everyone’s mind. It’s definitely been on my mind,” said Claire Simpson, a junior economics major from Plainfield, Illinois, and libero for the Bison. “So we’re just wanting to come out stronger this year.”
In set one, the Bison came out strong as they started with a 5-0 lead. The Patriots were determined to get on the board and capitalized on their multiple aces and errors from the Bison. This resulted in the score being tied at 21-21. The Bison closed the set only a few points ahead of the Patriots, with the final score being 25-22.
The Bison started set two the same as set one, aggressive and determined to score. The Patriots were on a run, gradually collecting points and taking the lead at 8-3. George Mason kept the lead as outside hitter Dami Awojobi got kills to close the gap. The Patriots continued their lead as they closed the set 25-20.
Determined to take the third set, the Bison had an 11-3 run with back-to-back aces and three kills from outside hitter and preseason conference Player of the Year Rya McKinnon. The Patriots tried to break the Bison’s defense and secure some points but struggled in this effort. The Bison took the set with the largest advantage of the four sets, 25-17.
As the fourth set began, the Patriots tried to secure the set and push the Bison to game five while the Bison tried to close out the game and capture the win. In the first opening points, both teams were fighting neck and neck, resulting in a 7-7 tie. Libero Claire Simpson broke the tie by securing an ace and forcing three errors, bringing the score to 11-7. The Patriots experienced a 4-0 run, and the board was tied once again at 11-11.
Both teams were giving their all to secure set four. The set saw six more ties before a four-kill run by defensive specialist Halie McGinest, who earned the final point and closed out the night with a final score of 25-22 for set four.
Simpson concluded the night with a match-leading 26 digs, while middle blockers Cimone Woodard and Maya Gerlach were aggressive on the net with eight blocks each.
McKinnon notched a double-double, having 15 kills and 10 digs, also securing three aces during the night’s matchup. Awojobi had kills that night as well, with 11 of her own.
McKinnon’s efforts in strategically placing the ball during preseason were evident in her performance against the Patriots, as she exploded on the court with swift and powerful swings.
“I [have] really been trying to, during this preseason, work on hitting high and trying to hit spots, more line, just expand my range of the game,” she said.
The team was pushed to its fullest potential due to the Patriots’ tough defense and powerful hitters. The Bison came out victorious on and off the court and will go into the remainder of the season glowing with confidence.
“I think we showed some maturity today; there was some growth from last year in some areas that we were looking for; specific players and as a team,” said Head Coach Shaun Kupferberg.
The team’s history with the Patriots dates to their first matchup in 2013. Since then, the Bison have won nine times against the team, winning the last two seasons and hoping to make it a third.
The team’s next game will take place at Houston Christian University for the Molly Howard-Gerwig Memorial Tournament on Sept. 5 at 6 p.m.
Copy edited by Jalyn Lovelady
