Patriots Cap Off Five-Win Homestand With 3-1 Victory Over Manhattan

George Mason Volleyball Powers to Victory: A Look at the Patriots' Rising Momentum

Feb. 8, 2026 at 1:31am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The George Mason Men's Volleyball team continued its strong form with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Manhattan on Saturday evening. The win, secured at the Recreation Athletic Complex (RAC), marks the fifth win in their last six games and pushes the Patriots' record above .500 for the first time this season.

Why it matters

The Patriots' recent success highlights their growing momentum and ability to overcome challenges, positioning them well for upcoming conference play. Their balanced offensive and defensive performance showcases the team's depth and versatility.

The details

Sophomore pin hitter Aidan Weltin led the offensive charge with a career-high 12 kills, while Jack Lopez contributed 11 kills. Senior setter Georgi Zahariev dished out a game-high 34 assists and added a service ace. The Patriots' defense also played a crucial role, recording 12 total blocks compared to Manhattan's six.

  • George Mason took an early lead, winning the first two sets on Saturday evening.

The players

Aidan Weltin

A sophomore pin hitter who led the Patriots with a career-high 12 kills.

Jack Lopez

A player who contributed 11 kills to the Patriots' attack.

Georgi Zahariev

A senior setter who dished out a game-high 34 assists and added a service ace.

Robert Evangelista

A player who contributed a solo block to the Patriots' defensive efforts.

Alexander Lillie

A player who contributed a solo block to the Patriots' defensive efforts.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I am happy we got the W tonight. We still have some things to iron out with finishing teams the right way, but the weekend went as planned. Now we start conference play, and that is a whole new ballgame.”

— Jay Hosack, Head Coach

What’s next

George Mason (5-4, 0-0 EIVA) will now embark on a two-week road trip, beginning with a pair of matches against University of Charleston in West Virginia on February 13th and 14th. They will then face New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) on February 20th and Fairleigh Dickinson on February 21st.

The takeaway

The Patriots' recent success, marked by a five-win homestand and a record above .500, demonstrates their growing strength and versatility. With a balanced offensive and defensive performance, the team is well-positioned for the upcoming conference play, where they will face new challenges and opportunities to showcase their continued development.