Fordham Volleyball had already defeated both George Mason University and George Washington University heading into this weekend as the regular season rumbles to the finish, yet the Patriots found a way to turn their luck around on Friday.

Fordham toppled George Mason early in the match, taking the first set 25–17 and capitalizing on the hosts’ ten errors in attack.

Sophomore outside hitter Whitley Moody led the offense for the third game in a row with 15 kills, and senior outside hitter Bella Urena was close behind with 14, also adding 12 digs. In the middle, sophomores Izzy Fichtel and Aria De La Rosa had nine and eight, respectively. Setting them up was junior setter Megan Brzozowski, notching a double-double with her 42 assists and 14 digs, also managing to add two blocks. Junior Mallory Lipski also had 14 digs, and freshman Ryan Naumann had 10 digs and a kill. 

Despite the efforts, Mason took the game over after the first set, winning the next three 21–25, 20–25, 13–25. 

Brzozowski noted the importance of treating every game as an individual, no matter who had won or lost in the past: “[Splitting the weekend] shows that on any given day, any team can win. Our conference is a good conference, and we must bring our A-game to each match and not expect past outcomes whether that is a win or a loss,” she said.

Momentum changed on Saturday, when the Rams bested the Colonials in three, winning 25–22, 25–22, 25–23. This win puts them at 3–6 in conference play and 6–14 overall. 

Moody led the team again with 12 kills and 11 digs, and Urena and De La Rosa combined for 17 kills. Brzozowski again got a double-double, with 32 assists and 14 digs, and sprinkled in two kills, two aces and two blocks. Junior Chloe Pejouan led the team in blocks with five, and senior Joey Landeros had five kills and two blocks of her own. 

Back at home this weekend, the Rams will take on the University of Dayton and Duquesne University.

“Going into Dayton, we are approaching it just like any other game,” Brzozowski said. “Yes, they have historically been the leaders in our conference, but if we trust our training and have faith in each other, we will perform. Also, taking off a set from them gives us the encouragement to just show our true capability. From their offense we need to look out for their outsides. They did a great job at cutting the line. So whether that is changing our blocking or defensive patterns, we will be making adjustments this week and becoming more disciplined.”

First, Fordham will be in action in the Rose Hill Gym against the Flyers for their pink-out game on Friday at 6 p.m before taking on the Dukes 24 hours later.