RESULT

Saint Louis 3, George Mason 0 (26-24, 25-23, 25-22)

Atlantic 10 Conference Championship First Round

Friday, Nov. 16 | Richmond, Virginia (Siegel Center)

THE BASICS

• No. 5 seed Saint Louis came from behind late to capture the opening set, and the Billikens went on to defeat No. 4 George Mason 3-0 (26-24, 25-23, 25-22) Friday afternoon in the opening round of the Atlantic 10 Conference Championship at VCU's Siegel Center in Richmond, Virginia.

• The win propelled the Billikens (8-19) into a Saturday semifinal against top-seeded VCU at 1 p.m. (CT). George Mason finished the season 10-15.

• Maya Taylor produced a match-high 16 kills to pace the SLU offense. Isabelle Walsh (eight kills) and Lauren Mershon (seven kills) combined for a .361 attack percentage as Saint Louis registered a .265 team hitting mark.

• Cayce Chaykowsky (12 digs), Sara Daniels (match-high four blocks), Sien Gallop (eight digs) and Kennedy Cordia (three blocks) led the Billikens' defensive effort. Cordia added 39 assists and two service aces.

FIRST SET

• There were 13 ties and six lead changes in the opening frame. George Mason owned the largest lead of three points on four occasions, the last being a 17-14 advantage. Saint Louis tallied four of the next five points to forge an 18-18 tie, and the set was deadlocked four more times.

• The Patriots scored twice in succession to go on top 24-22, but the Billikens pulled even on consecutive kills by Taylor, took the lead on Taylor's service ace and won the set on a block by Cordia and Daniels.

SECOND SET

• The second set was just as close, featuring 12 ties and four lead changes. After Saint Louis grabbed a 13-10 lead, George Mason used a 7-2 run to surge in front 17-15.

• The Billikens turned the tables with a 7-3 spurt to take the lead for good, 22-20. A block by Daniels and Taylor gave SLU set point at 24-21, and the Bills shook off Mason's comeback attempt to take a 2-0 lead in the match.

THIRD SET

• A kill by Cordia put Saint Louis ahead for good, 11-10, and the Billikens gradually built a four-point cushion, 17-13. The teams exchanged points until a Mason attack error gave SLU a 23-18 advantage.

• The Patriots scored four of the next five points to narrow the gap to 24-22, but Taylor put the finishing touch on the victory with her 16th kill.

NOTABLE

• The Billikens held the Patriots to a .193 attack percentage.

• Isabelle Walsh hit .350 (8-1-20) and added six digs.

• Lauren Mershon registered a .375 attack percentage (7-1-16).

• Giovanna Charles and Katia Haak turned in six kills and six digs, respectively.