"Growing up in the hood, you have good days and bad, and this was just another day in the hood. We survived," said senior opposite Scott Birdwell, men's volleyball's main gun, on the team's defeat to Loyola-Ill., 3-1, Sunday.
In the end, it was not one shot that felled the Tigers (6-5), but rather the combined effects of grazings and near-misses. Loyola's arsenal was fully loaded, and Princeton suffered a number of misfires that cost them the match.
The Tigers came apart at pointblank range in the fourth game, tying it at 14 before the Ramblers (13-2) – No. 9 in the country – dug in their heels and closed out the game and the match. Princeton had surged back from a two-game deficit, losing a close first game, 15-13, and the second 15-8.
The Tigers roared to a third game win, 15-7, but were unable to sustain that momentum throughout the fourth and decisive game.
What could have been
Princeton suffered the same sort of problems that have plagued it all season long, but with careful and true aim, could easily have pulled out a victory over a team that most recently beat No. 11 Penn State in three games Friday.
All in all, this match was a stepping stone for the Tigers, who played as a cohesive unit for one of the first times this year. With lots of room for improvement, Princeton seems poised to seek revenge against Penn State in a Mar. 27 rematch and make its run towards the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association playoffs.
With better blocking and defense than in past matches, the Tigers kept the match close. Freshman outside Steve Cooper paced Princeton with a team-high 15 digs, and senior outside Jeff Cooper (no relation) added 11 more to spur the Tigers' defensive effort.
Through Feb. 11, Jeff Cooper was ranked 14th in the nation in hitting percentage and among the top ten in kills per game. He lived up to his ranking against Loyola, hammering down 24 kills and hitting .419 on the day.
In a rut
Points came in streaks for both teams, as the score appeared to be stuck at other times due to the wild firing by Loyola and Princeton. The biggest difference came in the ability to make big plays – the Ramblers took advantage of the chinks in the Tigers' armor, and Princeton could not retaliate.
"Streaks of points are killing us," sophomore setter Jason Morrow said.
The Tigers controlled most of the first game before allowing Loyola to sneak back into it, setting the tone for the day. Princeton did not finish off the Ramblers when they were down, and it cost the Tigers a victory over the 9th-best team in the nation.
Princeton, who had previously won four matches in a row, hit a solid .327 on the match. Birdwell led the team with 31 kills for a season-best .448 percentage, and sparked the Tigers offensively, but it was not enough.
On a roll
Morrow, who entered the match as the nation's leader in assists, continued his sterling play with 73 assists and 10 digs.
Yesterday marked one of Princeton's better days in the hood, on the whole. Still riding the momentum from Saturday's win over Springfield (7-5, 3-1), in three straight games, 15-6, 15-6, 15-10, Princeton put itself in a position to grab a victory from one of the nation's elite teams and one of this year's designated giant-killers.
The Tigers' showing also demonstrates that it deserves to be mentioned among the nation's best teams. On any given day, Princeton can give any team in the nation a run for their money. Hit them on a day when they are feeling lucky, and anything is possible.
Read More
Princeton Men’s golf falls just short in Ivy League Championships
Matthew YiDespite coming close, a tough round three and poor weather conditions led to the Tigers losing to Yale in the men's Ivy League Golf Championships
Despite coming close, a tough round three and poor weather conditions led to the Tigers losing out to Yale in the men's Ivy League Golf Championships
On senior night, No. 21 Princeton men’s lacrosse secures a dominant win over No. 12 Penn
Lily PampolinaWith a massive win over a ranked opponent, the Tigers will head to New Haven next week in hopes of sealing their Ivy League tournament berth.
With a massive win over a ranked opponent, the Tigers will head to New Haven next week in hopes of sealing their Ivy League tournament berth.
Senior Day Triumph: No. 17 Women’s Lacrosse overpowers Dartmouth
Hayk YengibaryanThe Tigers held a dominant 9–0 lead after the first quarter and never looked back en route to a 17–11 victory. Sophomore attacker Haven Dora had a career-high eight points and tied the single-game record for assists with six.
The Tigers held a dominant 9–0 lead after the first quarter and never looked back en route to a 17–11 victory. Sophomore attacker Haven Dora had a career-high eight points and tied the single-game record for assists with six.
