ST. LOUIS – The Billikens picked up their fifth consecutive win and completed the weekend sweep over George Mason with a 3-2 victory Saturday afternoon inside Chaifetz Pavilion.
Saint Louis (12-10, 7-4 Atlantic 10) rallied from a 2-1 deficit to earn its first five-match winning streak in conference play since 2022.
Ellie Rink led the Billikens with 24 kills, while
Tamia Maddox added 21, marking the first time since 2019 that two Billikens recorded 20 or more kills in the same match.
SET 1 | SLU 25, GM 23
The teams traded runs to open the match before George Mason took an 11-6 lead. The Billikens closed the gap to 12-11, but the Patriots responded to extend their advantage to 20-14. Saint Louis closed it out on an 11-3 run to take the opening set. Rink led the Bills with seven kills in the frame.
SET 2 | SLU 26, GM 28
George Mason jumped out to an early 6-2 lead and continued to build its advantage to 15-8. The Billikens chipped away at the deficit, using a 5-1 run behind the serve of
Anna Alexander to pull within two at 22-20. Saint Louis continued its comeback to take a 25-24 lead, but the Patriots held off the Bills to take the set 28-26 and even the match at 1-1.
SET 3 | SLU 20, GM 25
The third set was back and forth early before George Mason used a run to take an 8-5 lead and extend its advantage to 12-6. The Patriots led 15-8 before the Billikens responded with three consecutive points. Saint Louis continued to battle, closing the gap to 23-20 late, but George Mason held on to take the set and a 2-1 match lead.
SET 4 | SLU 25, GM 18
The Billikens came out strong in the fourth set, opening on a 6-0 run and extending their lead to 9-1, forcing George Mason to use both timeouts in the first 10 points. Saint Louis continued to roll, building a 16-4 advantage before taking its largest lead of the set at 18-6. The Patriots put together a pair of runs to cut into the deficit, but the Bills rode their early lead to a 25-18 win and forced a decisive fifth set. Saint Louis hit .485 in the frame with 18 kills.
SET 5 | SLU 15, GM 11
The teams traded points to open the final set before Saint Louis took control with an 8-5 lead. The Billikens extended their advantage to 10-6 and continued to hold off the Patriots down the stretch.
Tea Kalajdzic delivered the final kill to secure the 15-11 victory and complete the weekend sweep.
NOTABLES
- Ellie Rink recorded a double-double with a match-high 24 kills and 12 digs, adding four blocks.
- Tamia Maddox finished with 21 kills and eight digs.
- Rink and Maddox became the first pair of Billikens to record 20 or more kills in the same match since 2019.
- Jetta Brenning recorded another double-double with 56 assists and 16 digs.
- Lara Zigic collected a career-high 25 digs, while Lucy Rankin added a season-high 12.
- Tea Kalajdzic finished with 17 kills on a .424 hitting percentage and four blocks.
- Kayla Jansen and J'La Sparks each recorded six blocks as the Billikens totaled 14 team blocks.
- Saint Louis finished with 74 kills and 82 digs while holding George Mason to a .156 hitting percentage.
UP NEXT
The Billikens face Loyola Chicago on Tuesday at 4 p.m. inside Chaifetz Pavilion.
