The women’s volleyball team entered the court having accomplished everything it wanted this season. The Tigers had swept through the Ivy League with a 13-1 record, claiming their 17th Ivy League championship, and along with it, a spot in the NCAA tournament.
The Princeton squad faced a tough opponent in No. 10 BYU, but that did not faze them as they continued to show the same resilience and strength they had brought during the regular season. The Cougars would eventually beat the Orange and Black, 3-0, but the score line fails to capture the thrilling match that occurred.
The Tigers and Cougars went blow-for-blow in the first set. Indeed, late into the set, Princeton managed to hold a slim 20-19 lead. However, BYU rallied at a crucial moment, grabbing three straight points. While the Tigers managed to score a few points of their own afterward, BYU’s Amy Boswell closed the first set 25-22.
After a disappointing second set, the Princeton squad quickly responded in the third. The Tigers had been in tight situations before, and their performance this time did not disappoint. Princeton kept the game close early, but another BYU run put the Cougars up 18-14. Now the momentum shifted in favor of the Tigers — Princeton scored the next three points, grabbing a 22-21 lead.
It wasn’t enough. BYU rallied at a crucial time once again, answering with three points of their own. The Cougars would go on to win the set 25-23.
The Princeton team played a well-balanced game with all starters doing their share. The offense was led by freshman blocker Maggie O’Connell, Ivy League rookie of the year, who hit 12 kills. Senior outside hitter Cara Mattaliano added 11 kills and 14 digs to the Princeton effort.
Mattaliano, the two-time Ivy League Player of the year, closed her career with 1,112 kills.
While this was certainly not the outcome the Tigers were hoping for, the Princeton squad has so much to be proud of as they close out a truly remarkable season. The team not only defended their Ivy League crown and made an emphatic statement with their impressive 19-5 record, but they also earned their first trip to the NCAA since 2007.
After the match, the team shared a moment with all the teammates and family members who had come to celebrate the season. The Tigers will be graduating three seniors, Mattaliano, Brittany Ptak, and Lauren Miller, who brought excitement and flair to Princeton volleyball and whose presence and leadership will surely be missed.
Read More
Women’s volleyball finishes regular season strong, defeating Dartmouth and Harvard
Josefina GurevichIn a stellar season, Princeton maintained their silver status in the Ivy League standings and will be entering next weekend’s Ivy League Championship Tournament as the second seed behind only Yale.
In a stellar season, Princeton maintained their silver status in the Ivy League standings and will be entering next weekend’s Ivy League Championship Tournament as the second seed behind only Yale.
Women's volleyball falls to Yale and defeats Brown solidifying second-place Ivy standing
Josefina GurevichThis weekend has cemented Princeton’s spot in the the Ivy League Conference standings, sandwiched between Yale at the top and Brown in third. The Ivy League Championships are approaching fast, now just two weeks ahead.
This weekend has cemented Princeton’s spot in the the Ivy League Conference standings, sandwiched between Yale at the top and Brown in third. The Ivy League Championships are approaching fast, now just two weeks ahead.
Women’s volleyball opens Ivy League play with back-to-back wins over Penn
Allison Ha and Josefina GurevichOn Friday and Saturday, women’s volleyball opened their first Ivy League games with two wins against Penn. The Tigers have now won every Ivy opening game since 2015, and stand at the top of Ivy Conference standings to kick off the season.
On Friday and Saturday, women’s volleyball opened their first Ivy League games with two wins against Penn. The Tigers have now won every Ivy opening game since 2015, and stand at the top of Ivy Conference standings to kick off the season.
