Thanks to a strong defensive effort — and benefiting from Princeton's error-plagued offensive play — Rutgers-Newark swept the men's volleyball team on Tuesday night in Dillon Gym.
Princeton (2-8 overall, 1-5 Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association) was defeated, 30-27, 30-27 and 31-29.
The Tigers had hoped to avenge their loss to the Scarlet Raiders (7-5, 4-1), having fallen to them, 3-2, earlier this season. Although the two teams were neck and neck at most points throughout their three games, the Tigers failed to capitalize on key points and thus were handed another loss.
"We just made way too many errors — hitting serves out, missed blocks," said Eichler. "The games were decided by two to three points, and if we could have cut out the 10 to 15 errors each game, we could have won, 3-0."
Despite the loss of All-Ivy junior middle hitter Brian Hamming, who suffered a pre-game injury during warmups, a visibly energized Princeton came out strong in the first game, capturing the first two points with a block by senior middle hitter Sean Vitousek and a Rutgers attack error. The Scarlet Raiders captured the next three points however, taking advantage of the first few of a slew of Princeton errors on the day.
The lead bounced back and forth, and the Tigers led, 24-23, after a kill by sophomore opposite Reid Joseph. Princeton could not hold on, though, and found itself trailing Rutgers for the rest of the game. The Scarlet Raiders captured the next three points and refused to relinquish the lead, finally obtaining a game point with a kill by Eric Honsberger, who had a match-high of 18. The game was decided in favor of Rutgers after an attack error by senior outside hitter Blake Robinson.
Although the lead oscillated at the beginning of the second game as it had in the first, Rutgers soon jumped out to a substantial edge, widening the gap to as much as six points after a controversial call. At first, Princeton struggled to close in on the Scarlet Raiders' lead, failing to string together more than three consecutive points. Eventually the Tigers tied the game at 25 after a Rutgers attack error. Two kills and three Tiger errors put the Scarlet Raiders up, 29-26. Princeton saved one game point with a block by Vitousek, but a service error by junior setter Jack Pichard gave Rutgers the game.
With the Tigers fighting for their life, three kills by Vitousek early in the third game gave Princeton a 5-2 lead. The Tigers could not hold more than a three-point margin, though, and a kill by Honsberger tied the game at 15. The Tigers found themselves trailing the Scarlet Raiders for the rest of the game, as Rutgers continued to build a lead, at one point up 28-24 after an error by Robinson.
Princeton captured the next three points with a kill and service ace by sophomore middle hitter Evan Pasion and a Scarlet Raiders attack error, but Rutgers took the next point on a kill by Honsberger. The Tigers rallied back to save two game points and level it at 29, but two kills by the Scarlet Raiders ended the game and clinched the match for Rutgers.
Vitousek led Princeton for the day with 15 kills and three blocks. Freshman outside hitter Peter Eichler contributed 10 kills while Robinson posted 11. Pichard had 45 assists and junior libero Mark Stevens made 11 digs.
Patriots reign
The loss comes as a disappointment for the Tigers, who entered the match on the heels of a defeat by undefeated George Mason University last Saturday. The Patriots (10-0, 4-0) swept Princeton, 30-27, 30-24 and 30-22.
The Tigers had hoped to avenge last season's loss to George Mason, which knocked Princeton out of the 2004 EIVA championships. Although the Tigers showed promise in the first game, hitting .207 over the Patriots' .148, George Mason continued to execute important hits throughout the entire game and played the big points better, easily winning the final two games.
Eichler led Princeton with a match-high 11 kills and a team-high five digs. Pichard chipped in 33 assists. Hamming, in his first game back since separating his shoulder in the Tigers' season opener, contributed seven kills and two blocks.
The Tigers next face a rematch against George Mason on March 6 at Dillon Gym. With home-court advantage and a motive to rebound from last night's loss, Princeton will be looking to capture a win.
Read More
Six for six: men’s and women’s track and field both complete triple crown
Luke StocklessMen’s and women’s track and field each won the Ivy League title this past weekend, capping off a dominant season in which both teams won the triple crown — a feat not seen in 14 years.
Men’s and women’s track and field each won the Ivy League title this past weekend, capping off a dominant season in which both teams won the triple crown — a feat not seen in 14 years.
Nation’s No. 2 miler Mena Scatchard ’25 to transfer to Stanford for graduate year
Luke StocklessThe Tigers’ most decorated distance runner ever has decided to use her final year of eligibility at Stanford after graduating from Princeton this May.
The Tigers’ most decorated distance runner ever has decided to use her final year of eligibility at Stanford after graduating from Princeton this May.
Two-way treats: Shenefelt and Kram do it all for Princeton baseball team
Joseph UglialoroThe baseball team features two players who hit and pitch, a rarity at the college level. Nick Shenefelt and Kaden Kram each took unique paths to playing both ways this season.
The baseball team features two players who hit and pitch, a rarity at the college level. Nick Shenefelt and Kaden Kram each took unique paths to playing both ways this season.