PRINCESS ANNE, Md. — While George Mason walked away with the victory Tuesday night in the Hytche, the hometown Hawks battled hard, making the visiting Patriots earn their keep. With 57 kills, 10 aces and nine blocks, the visitors won a 3-1 match over UMES (25-18, 22-25, 25-18, 25-23).

George Mason improved to 9-15 while the Hawks fell to 17-5 on the season.

Reigning MEAC Rookie of the Week and Hawks freshman Zuzana Ondruskova kept her torrid pace by securing a double-double of 13 kills and 16 digs. Junior Haley Robinson supplied seven kills of her own, but was more impressive on defense with 14 digs and two block assists. Freshman Lucia Babic totaled 10 kills to reach double figures, and sophomore Alana Polk registered a .333 kill percentage and four block assists.

The Patriots used a 12-3 run to win the first set, but the Hawks kept battling in the second go around. Aces by senior Petra Jerabkova and Robinson helped the team blaze to a 6-2 start, and UMES took the lead for good with a kill from Ondruskova at the 18-17 mark. Two aces by freshman Marta Klafuric and one final blow from Ondruskova gave the Hawks a 25-22 edge.

UMES fought hard in the next two sets, but both went to George Mason. A Polk kill helped duplicate a one point lead at 18-17 in the third set, but the Patriots would win the next eight points to win going away. Set four was closer in the end, but the Hawks found themselves playing catchup early on. The team had one last gasp, closing the gap from 24-21 to 24-23 but a final Patriot kill doomed UMES to their second straight loss.

Next up for the Hawks will be a match against the Morgan State Bears on Friday that will be crucial in determining who will be the No. 2 seed out of the MEAC Northern Division.