Springfield too much for Tigers

After shocking No. 13 George Mason just a few days earlier, the men's volleyball team entered its match against Springfield College on Mar. 11 with plenty of momentum. The Tigers' hopes of continuing their winning streak were dashed, however, as the Pride defeated Princeton, 3-1.

Despite capturing the first game by a close score of 30-28, the Tigers (3-9 overall, 2-6 Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association) dropped the next three games to Springfield (5-10, 2-6) by scores of 30-27, 30-25 and 30-20.

The defeat comes as a disappointment for Princeton, which was seeking retribution for a 3-2 loss to the Pride earlier in the season. The Tigers were plagued by too many errors to accomplish that goal, committing a frustrating 37 miscues for the day.

Princeton jumped out to a 10-4 lead in the first game by capitalizing on numerous Springfield attack errors. Despite losing five of the next six points, the Tigers came back and kept at least a two-point margin between themselves and the Pride until Springfield finally knotted the score at 26. Princeton's victory was clinched by consecutive kills by Eichler and senior outside hitter Blake Robinson.

The beginning of the second game saw the lead bounce back and forth between the two teams. Back-to-back kills by Eichler and a Pride attack error put the Tigers up 18-15, but it was the last time they would lead. A service ace by Brandon Mueller, who had 17 kills for the day, put Springfield up 20-19. Princeton would knot the score several times, but the Tigers could never regain the lead. Two Princeton kills were overshadowed by numerous Tiger mistakes, and consecutive attack errors by Robinson gave the Pride the game.

Princeton came out aggressively in the third game, but Springfield rallied back with strong kills of its own. An Eichler kill gave the Tigers a 14-12 lead, but the Pride stole back the advantage off several Princeton attack errors. Though the Tigers went on a three-point run and drew within one of Springfield, 24-23, after a block by Pasion and sophomore outside hitter Carter Hahn, the Pride won five of the next six points to go up, 29-24. Despite saving one game point off a kill by Pasion, Princeton lost the game following Mueller's kill.

Springfield came out swinging in the fourth game, and the Pride's improved offensive production helped them build a significant lead. Springfield dominated throughout the entire game. A kill by Mueller put the Pride up 26-14, and they grabbed three of the next four points to set up a game point. Yet another Mueller kill capped the game and match for Springfield.

Eichler led the Tigers with a match-high 18 kills, while Vitousek tallied 15 and Robinson posted 10. Junior libero Mark Stevens had 16 kills, and junior setter Jack Pichard chipped in 45 assists.