As its season winds down, the women's volleyball team keeps finding ways to improve.
The Tigers were in top form this weekend as they took on two tough Ivy League competitors.
Plagued by illness and injury, Princeton refused to give up, beating both Yale and Brown — 3-1 and 3-0, respectively.
The victories, however, were bittersweet. Penn's two Ivy League wins this weekend assured them sole possession of the league title, keeping the Tigers out of the hunt.
Admittedly, Princeton (17-5 overall, 11-3 Ivy League) got off to a slow start when they faced Yale (9-11, 6-7). Sloppy play by the Tigers allowed the Bulldogs to take the first game, 30-27.
"We just came out flat that first game," head coach Glenn Nelson said. "But we knew we needed to play the way we're capable of playing."
Princeton's play was much stronger in the second game. An 11-2 run in the middle of the game put the Tigers ahead 19-7, and Princeton finished off the game, 30-13.
Though Yale was more competitive in the last two games, the Tigers maintained momentum to win both games 30-27 for a 3-1 victory in the match.
Senior co-captain Abby Studer's five solo blocks — including three in a row in the third game — proved crucial for the Princeton defense. Offensively, she led the Tigers with 19 kills and only one error for a kill percentage of .563.
Junior Kellie Cramm and senior co-captain Michelle Buffum also put up double-digit kills, with 18 and 17, respectively. Freshman setter Jenny Senske set for 57 assists in the match.
In Brown (10-15, 6-7), the Tigers faced a team that had beaten them earlier in the season. That loss ultimately cost Princeton a shot at the Ivy League title, so they were out for revenge.
Good teamwork allowed Princeton to surge ahead and take the first game, 30-21. A well-balanced offense and disciplined defense gave the Bears few breaks.
The Tigers kept up the same level of play in the second game. They rolled over the Bears, 30-23.
Brown came out stronger in the third game, but Princeton fed on the intensity from the previous two games. A 30-25 win gave the Tigers a 3-0 victory in the match.
"Last time we played Brown, we weren't at our best, and they dominated us," Coach Nelson said. "This time, it was the exact opposite."
Buffum agreed. "We went out with enthusiasm and determination that channeled into some of our best play yet," she said.
Cramm added, "Beating Brown definitely proved how far we have come in the last couple weeks."
This time against the Bears, it was Cramm leading the way for the Tigers. She posted 20 kills and only one error for a kill percentage of .594. Studer added 15 kills and Buffum added 11 for the Princeton offense. Senske again put up solid numbers with 51 assists.
On Wednesday, Tiger volleyball has its last match of the season against Penn. Even though the match-up means nothing in terms of the Ivy League title, Princeton is again hungry for revenge against a team that defeated them earlier.
"It will be fun to go out there and beat [Penn] and set the tone for next year," Cramm said.
Senske is every bit as determined to win as Cramm. "[Our seniors] deserve to go out winning."
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