ST. LOUIS – The Billikens extended their winning streak to four matches with a thrilling 3-2 victory over George Mason on Friday evening inside Chaifetz Pavilion.
Saint Louis improved to 11-10 overall and 6-4 in Atlantic 10 play behind a career-high 23 kills from Tamia Maddox.
SET 1 | SLU 18, GM 25
George Mason opened the match on a 5-0 run and extended its lead to 10-3. The Billikens battled back with a 4-0 run to cut the deficit to 16-13, but the Patriots' early advantage proved too much to overcome as SLU dropped the opening set, 25-18.
SET 2 | SLU 25, GM 21
The Billikens bounced back in the second set, jumping out to a 6-3 lead. Back-to-back blocks helped SLU extend its advantage to 11-6 and force a George Mason timeout. Saint Louis continued to push, using a 6-2 run to build an 18-10 lead. The Patriots responded with six consecutive points to cut the deficit to 19-17, but the Billikens held on for the 25-21 win to even the match at one set apiece.
SET 3 | SLU 25, GM 17
The teams traded points early in the third set before the Billikens took a three-point lead at 12-9. Saint Louis continued to build its advantage, pushing ahead 17-13 before extending the lead to 23-16 late. The Bills closed out the set, 25-17, to take a 2-1 lead in the match.
SET 4 | SLU 20, GM 25
George Mason jumped out to a 7-4 lead in the fourth set before the Billikens responded with a 6-1 run to take a 10-8 advantage. The Patriots tied things up at 11 before rattling off seven consecutive points to take a 16-11 lead. Saint Louis battled back with a 4-1 run late to cut the deficit to 23-20, but George Mason held on for the 25-20 win to force a fifth set.
SET 5 | SLU 16, GM 14
The deciding set was back and forth early before George Mason took a 6-3 lead. The Billikens responded with three consecutive points to even the score at 6-6. The teams continued to trade points until SLU scored two straight to take a 13-12 lead and force a Patriots timeout. Jetta Brenning followed with a service ace to give the Bills a 14-12 advantage, but George Mason answered with two points to tie things up at 14. Saint Louis responded with the final two points to secure the 16-14 win and extend its winning streak to four matches.
NOTABLES
- Tamia Maddox recorded a career-high 23 kills to lead the Billikens.
- Jetta Brenning picked up her 13th double-double of the season with 46 assists and 15 digs.
- Ellie Rink recorded her eighth double-double of the year with 18 kills and 12 digs.
- J'La Sparks led the Billikens at the net with eight blocks, including one solo block.
- Lara Zigic finished with 15 digs, while Tea Kalajdzic added nine kills.
UP NEXT
The Billikens face the Patriots again on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
