Men's volleyball hungry for revenge in Rutgers-Newark rematch

In the world of sports, revenge can be a beautiful thing. After a tough loss, a second chance to beat a rival is a rare and exciting opportunity. This weekend, the men's volleyball team will get a chance to avenge one of its tough early season losses. The Tigers will face Rutgers-Newark, a rival in the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association's Tait Division, for the second time this season on Friday.

The last time Princeton met the Scarlet Raiders, on Feb. 10, Rutgers-Newark routed the Tigers by a 3-0 score. But much has changed for Princeton since then. The Tigers are riding a five-game winning streak that includes a pair of EIVA victories, over St. Francis and George Mason. More importantly, Princeton will have the luxury of home-court advantage this time around. The Tigers' first loss to Rutgers came in the Scarlet Raiders' home gym.

Home-court advantage

Princeton has been dominant in Dillon Gymnasium thus far this season, winning its first two home contests. A rowdy and passionate home fan base has been key to the Tigers' success. The Princeton team seems to draw strength from the crowd, while the opposing team seems constantly thrown off its game by the hostile environment.

However, even with the advantage of the home crowd and the comfort of the familiar court at Dillon Gym, the Tigers will have their work cut out for them if they hope to win the rematch with Rutgers-Neward. The Scarlet Raiders have won their last three matches with the Tigers, sweeping the series with Princeton last year and then prevailing again in the first match this season.

But junior outside hitter Ryn Burns, one of the Tigers' star players, missed the first Rutgers-Newark game of this season with an injury, and he should be at full strength for the rematch on Friday. His return plus the momentum the Tigers have built during their current winning streak could be enough to propel the Tigers to victory this time around.

Several of the team's best players are members of the Tiger Inn, and many of the team's most loyal fans come out from T.I. to cheer on their club-mates and can be belligerent enough to unnerve visiting players.

"Our fans give us a huge advantage," Burns said. "It's really hard for the other team to concentrate when they are being personally insulted during every point. It's also great when we get on a roll, and the fans start yelling and going crazy. We start to get real fired up and raise our game to the next level."

Burns' counterpart at outside hitter, junior Blake Robinson, agreed that the fans are instrumental to the team's success, calling them "our seventh man" after the team's recent win over George Mason. That game took place at noon on Saturday, while the game with Rutgers will take place at 7 p.m. Friday. One can only imagine how much noise the fans will be making at a much more social hour than that at which the previous game was played.

Princeton will need stellar efforts from Burns, Robinson, senior setter Jason Liljestrom, and sophomore middle blocker Brian "The Hammer" Hamming if they hope to compete. The latter three have been on fire the last five games. If they can keep up their streak of hot play, the Tigers just might get their revenge.