George Mason’s 3-1 win over Warren County on Tuesday resulted in many accomplishments, not
only for the team but also for individual players. In addition to senior Vicky-Marie Addo-Ashong breaking the school record for kills in a match, the girls won against Warren County for the first time, and the reappearance of the intensity in the student section. The win left Mason with a win and a new conference record of 3-0.
The win was a great stepping stone for the team’s pathway to a Bull Run District championship. In past years, Warren County has been a strong team and Tuesday’s win was George Mason’s first against the Wildcats since Warren County has joined the Bull Run district in 2014. Warren County, which is a 3A school, is in the Bull Run district along with Mason, which is a 2A school, but the Wildcats play in a higher conference since it is a much larger school.
From ?a statistical standpoint, the Mustangs had a highly proficient game, with ten aces, four scored by junior, Shaun Rodock; and eight blocks by junior Kate Karstens; 52 kills, 20 scored by Vicky-Marie Addo-Ashong.
“Some of us were pushing 500, which means almost every other ball we gave them was a kill and we had very few errors,” Coach Trebels said.
The 20 kills scored by senior Vicky-Marie Addo-Ashong became the new record for kills in a match at George Mason. She passed the previous record holder, Sally Karstens, by two kills. This is also Addo-Ashong second record at mason, she also carries the record for 100m hurdles for the Mustangs’ track and field team.
“Obviously, Sally was a really good player and she helped me a lot when I was playing and when I was younger. So, she was a goal in terms of playing. I’m happy to show her that she actually got me somewhere,” Addo-Ashong said.
Addo-Ashong and Sally Karstens played on the same team for one year before Sally graduated in 2014.
“It’s a lot cooler that it was Sally, rather than some person from 1980,” Addo-Ashong said.
Tuesday??s game also featured the re-establishment of what was formerly called ??The Boom Squad?? which is now called the student section. The past two home games had a lot of support in terms of many fellow students attending but during some points of the past games energy coming from the student section was low.
Near the end of the second set, however, when Warren County and Mason got to a score of 24-24, a few students led ?Mason??s whole student section to stand and cheer for their school.
??So, even though we lost[that set], having them stand up was really important, I think to let us know that we have the support here at home,?? Coach Trebels said.
Overall, this Mason game was a huge success for both the team and Addo-Ashong. The Mustangs will need support as they go into their conference home game against Central next week on Tuesday, September 22. To see more information on the Mustangs?? upcoming games, click here.
Correction: The George Mason volleyball team’s conference record after the Warren County game was 3-0, not 4-2.
