After struggling to win the first game, the Princeton men's volleyball team caught fire and went on to beat the New Jersey Institute of Technology with solid second and third sets, 30-23, 30-18, 30-15.
The victory moves Princeton (5-6 overall, 4-3 Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Associa-tion) to above .500 in the EIVA.
The Tigers came out sluggish in the opening game. The two teams traded the lead (1-8, 1-5 EIVA) before a marathon point gave Princeton a 26-21 advantage. The ball crossed the net 11 times during the point — including two key Princeton digs — before a kill by freshman outside hitter Blake Robinson set the matter in the Tigers' favor.
A block by freshman outside hitter Ryn Burns gave Princeton a 28-21 lead and the Tigers went on to win the first game.
Tough defensive play turned out to be the key in the first game. Princeton recorded several digs and blocks to stunt NJIT's momentum.
"I thought it was a strong defensive performance," sophomore setter Jason Liljestrom said. "All we had to do was play defense and put balls away – not make a lot of mistakes."
To start the second game, coach Glenn Nelson substituted freshman Sean Vitousek for senior Joel Moxley, a move that would provide a spark on the Tiger half of the court.
In the game, Vitousek contributed three blocks and a key kill, while at the same time, noticeably raising Princeton's energy level.
"We have been trying to get Sean to work," Nelson said. "He and Mox are basically the same type of volleyball player. Sean is a little bit better of a blocker and Mox is a little bit better of an attacker right now. This is not, though, one of these situations where one guy should be the starter all the time."
Another key to winning the second game was Burns' serving. At 7-5, he won a string of five consecutive points on his serve, capping his streak off with an ace at 12-5.
Once Princeton was up 24-13, Nelson went to the bench and brought in sophomore setter Jing Ge to give Liljestrom a rest. Ge had two crucial digs to give Princeton a 28-17 lead and, eventually, the game.
The Tigers had an easy time in the third game, taking the first six points and crusing to a 19-7 lead. Burns again showed off his master serve with an ace to put Princeton up 27-10.
Highlander outside hitter Rob Miller tried to spark NJIT to a comeback, but after three big serves, Princeton fought back and won.
NJIT has been the victim of a big graduating class and two transfers. The team has been struggling to stay out of the cellar in the EIVA.
"They're not the team they were a year ago," Nelson said. "In fact at the end of last year, they were able to bang us pretty hard up at Tech."
Princeton still has five league games left to play before the Tigers take on EIVA powers George Mason, Concordia and Penn State. The Tigers won just one game in the three matches played against those teams earlier this year.
"They are so much more physical as a team than we are that we almost have to play a perfect match just to be able to beat those teams," Nelson said. "We can't do anything stupid. We have got to pass every ball. We can't make errors. We've got to play pretty much flawless, error-free volleyball."
Fortunately, Princeton still has time to fine tune its game before the critical matches against the top of the EIVA.
"They better just wait," Vitousek said. "We're going to give them a run next time."
Read More
What’s an offseason? Jackson Green and Jay Mentink on being multi-sport athletes at Princeton
Doug SchwartzPrinceton sophomores Jackson Green and Jay Mentink embrace the challenge of playing two Division I sports while tackling Ivy League academics head-on.
Princeton sophomores Jackson Green and Jay Mentink embrace the challenge of playing two Division I sports while tackling Ivy League academics head-on.
No. 3 men’s lacrosse routs No. 14 Towson 22–12, Mackesy breaks career goals record
Hayk YengibaryanWith the win, the Tigers advance to the NCAA quarterfinals for the first time in 2022. Princeton will take on No. 5 Syracuse in Hempstead, N.Y., next weekend for a spot in the final four.
With the win, the Tigers advance to the NCAA quarterfinals for the first time in 2022. Princeton will take on No. 5 Syracuse in Hempstead, N.Y., next weekend for a spot in the final four.
Senior Coulter Mackesy, Pace Billings ’24, and Sam English ’23 drafted to Premier Lacrosse League
Hayk YengibaryanThe PLL, founded in 2018 by brothers Mike and Paul Rabil, is North America’s professional lacrosse league. The league currently features eight teams that compete in a tour-based format, traveling to different cities each weekend throughout the summer season.
The PLL, founded in 2018 by brothers Mike and Paul Rabil, is North America’s professional lacrosse league. The league currently features eight teams that compete in a tour-based format, traveling to different cities each weekend throughout the summer season.