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Men's volleyball prepares for season opener against Ohio State

On Tuesday night, the men’s volleyball team will leap into the 2016 season, facing non-conference challenger Ohio State in Princeton’s own Dillon Gymnasium.

The Tigers will enterTuesday’smatch without three of last year’s starters: All-American Cody Kessel, All-EIVA Second Teamer Will Siroky and Tony Ensbury. The trio led Princeton to the EIVA playoffs for four consecutive years, starting since their freshman years. Princeton will look to some of their incoming rookies to help bolster the roster: opposite/outside hitter Jack Burgi, opposite Matthew Nicholas, outside hitter Corry Short and middle blocker Sean Buxton.

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Adding to Princeton’s challenge, Ohio State finished sixth in the preseason American Volleyball Coaches Association poll, a standard benchmark for Division I and II collegiate volleyball. In the same poll, the Tigers peaked at No. 13 early last season but finished below the top 15.

Notable players on the Buckeyes' roster include Miles Johnson, who earned an All-MIVA Second Team honor last season, and Nicolas Szerszen, who won the MIVA freshman of the year award and placed on the All-MIVA First Team.

As the majority of students just return to campus, leaving the comforts of winter break, the men’s volleyball team has been practicing hard forTuesday’sgame. Even so, Ohio State may still have an edge over the Tigers as they have been practicing since Dec. 26, due to an earlier schedule. In fact, Ohio State began its season this pastSaturdaywith a loss to McMaster University, a top-ranked Canadian team.

However, when asked about the Buckeye’s impressive roster and preparation, Buxton explained that the team is only focused on looking internally, and not worrying about the strength and previous results of their opponents as it tries to improve.

“We’re focused on us," Buxton said. "It’s all about us. We’re going to make ourselves the best we can.”

Buxton also provided perspective into expectations set for the rookie Tigers, especially on a team suffering from the loss of three stellar seniors.

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“I’m really excited to be a part of the bench atmosphere,” Buxton said. “A lot of people underestimate the bench; we have some fun out there.”

The Buckeyes mark just the first of many dominant opponents for the Tigers, who are set to face both NCAA finalists Loyola Chicago and Lewis later in the season. Yet, the team treats the challenge as an exciting opportunity for growth.

“We do have a really tough schedule. Those games are games that give us the clear opportunity to be the underdog on paper,” Buxton explained. “It gives us a lot to fight for. We are focusing on us being better. We’re not going to get any better without more practice.”

Though shorthanded players and time, the Tigers will accept Ohio State’s challenge with excitement, determination and optimism.

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