FAIRFAX, Va. – With a career-high 26 kills, Delaney Rice led the Billikens to their first Atlantic 10 win over George Mason in five sets Friday night moving SLU to 8-6 on the season and 1-2 in conference play.
 
It was a battle from the opening serve in the Billikens' second weekend of A-10 action visiting the Patriots in Fairfax, Va. In a match that featured 13 total lead changes and 28 ties, SLU muscled out the five-set victory.
 
After George Mason took the early 1-0 lead in the match, the teams traded sets with the Billikens taking the second, 25-19, but dropping the third (25-22).
 
In the fourth set, the momentum shifted in SLU's favor, as the Billikens hit .263 while holding George Mason to a hitting percentage of .103. Rice rattled off seven kills to force a fifth and final set.
 
The Billikens kept their foot on the gas, jumping out to a 4-0 lead early before winning the set, 15-8, and the match, 3-2.
 
Rice's 26 kills were accompanied by two service aces and a hitting percentage of .345, while freshman Josie Newcom bolstered the Billikens' attack with nine kills and Kayla Richardson added seven.
 
Defensively, Carlie Rodgers and Kate Aupperle combined for 36 digs while Dimitra Tziarli recorded a team-high 3.5 blocks.
 
The Billikens will close out the weekend against the Patriots on Saturday with the first serve set for 1 p.m. (CT).
 
RESULTS 
Saint Louis 3, George Mason 2 (18-25, 25-19, 22-25, 25-19, 15-8) 
Friday, Sept. 29, 2023 | Recreation & Athletic Complex (Fairfax, Va.)