FAIRFAX, Va. - The Sacred Heart men's volleyball team wrapped up its weekend series in Virginia, dropping a hard-fought 3-1 decision to George Mason. The set scores were 25-18, 25-27, 25-23, 25-21. 
 
Records 
Sacred Heart: 3-5, 0-4 EIVA 
George Mason: 7-5, 2-1 EIVA 
 
SHU Leaders 
Jaron Popp: 17 kills (.250), 6 digs
Aleksa Mandic: 13 kills (.167), 2 blocks, 1 ace
Austin Buchanan: 32 assists, 3 kills, 2 aces
Petr Beranek: 10 digs, 6 kills
 
HOW IT HAPPENED 
George Mason secured a comfortable 25-18 win in the first. The Patriots used a 10-5 run early in the first set to seize control. The Pioneers were unable to close the gap
 
The second set was the most competitive of the match, featuring 14 ties and four lead changes. The final tie was at 25, but Sacred Heart won the next two points, including a kill from Aleksa Mandic on set point. 
 
The third set was also tight as George Mason's largest lead was three. The score was tied at 22 before the Patriots won two straight points and then held on to take a 2-1 lead. 
 
In set four, George Mason built an 18-12 lead and then held off a Pioneer comeback. 
 
UP NEXT 
Sacred Heart heads to Harvard for a pair of matches next weekend. Saturday is a 7 p.m. start followed by a 2 p.m. start on Sunday.