Tigers upset No. 13 George Mason in five

After a timeout late in the fifth game, the men's volleyball team stepped back onto the court ahead, 14-12, against George Mason University. One could see the unmistakable determination on the Tigers' faces — they had obtained an incredible opportunity to upset the No. 13 team in the country and were resolved not to let it slip away, especially when it was match point. Bracing themselves for the next serve, they tried to forget about the two match points they had already given up and the feeling of growing apprehension as the Patriots closed in on them.

Princeton's fears were soon quelled, however, as a service error by George Mason ended the game and gave the Tigers a 3-2 victory on Sunday afternoon in Dillon Gym.

Princeton (3-8 overall, 2-5 Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association) defeated George Mason (12-3, 6-2) by scores of 21-30, 33-31, 36-34, 18-30 and 15-12.

The win comes as a welcome improvement for the Tigers, who entered the game on the heels of a three-game losing streak. One of these losses, which knocked the Tigers out of the 2004 EIVA playoffs, was to the Patriots the week before.

"It's very exciting for us," freshman outside hitter Peter Eichler said. "We finished this match, something we haven't been able to do all season."

Clinching the match was no small task for the Tiger squad. A slow start by Princeton in the first game saw George Mason jump out to an early lead. Initially, though, the Tigers did not allow the Patriots a lead of more than three and even leveled the game at nine with a kill by senior middle hitter Sean Vitousek. That would be the last time during the game, however, that Princeton would be that close.

Using a combination of power and smart placement, George Mason found open areas of the court and widened the gap significantly. Taking advantage of an increasing number of attack and service errors by the Tigers, George Mason was able to string together two five-point runs. The Patriots followed up this dominant play by grabbing five of the next seven points to push ahead, 25-15.

A kill by Kyle Swanson gave George Mason a game point, and though Princeton won the next two points off a kill by sophomore opposite Reid Joseph and a Patriot attack error, Hudson Bates dashed any hope for a Tiger comeback with a kill to end the game.

The beginning of the second game played out much like that of the first, with both teams initially neck-and-neck. Again, the Patriots built a substantial lead off numerous Princeton attack errors, and the Tigers found themselves struggling to catch up for the second time.

Finally, after a visibly energized George Mason took an eight-point lead following a service ace, the Tigers began to show signs of life. Senior outside hitter Blake Robinson's kill and Eichler's two service aces helped contribute to Princeton winning the next five points and getting itself back into the game. The Tigers continued to close the gap, capitalizing on Patriot errors and stepping up their offensive game.

Following a service ace by Robinson and a George Mason attack error, Princeton took the lead for the first time, 23-22, but the Patriots rallied back to squeak ahead, 29-27. A kill by Eichler and a block by Robinson and sophomore middle hitter Evan Pasion tied the game at 29. The Tigers would face one more game point before a kill by Vitousek leveled the teams at 31, and two subsequent George Mason errors handed Princeton the win.

The lead continued bouncing back and forth throughout the third game, as neither team could increase its advantage by more than two points. Two Tiger attack errors put the Patriots up, 25-23, but Princeton quickly answered back with a kill by Vitousek and an attack error from Felix Campos.

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Princeton soon found itself in a similar predicament as the previous game, however, trailing 29-27 after a kill by Shaun Powell, who recorded a match-high of 28. Once again, Princeton staged a comeback with an Eichler kill and a George Mason attack error, evening it out at 29. Princeton would squander four game points and save one before closing out the game following a kill by Robinson and a Campos attack error.

Now looking at a 2-1 deficit, the Patriots came out in the fourth frustrated and on fire. Taking advantage of an increasing number of Princeton attack errors and stepping up their overall level of play, the Patriots got off to a good start and refused to relinquish their large lead, cruising to an easy victory.

The setback turned out to be a minor one for Princeton, though, as the Tigers came roaring back in the fifth. Though the teams stayed close at the beginning, Princeton built up a strong 11-6 lead after winning four points on junior setter Jack Pichard's powerful serves. Two kills by Vitousek and one by Robinson, along with numerous George Mason attack errors, helped Princeton maintain the advantage and eventually clinch the final game and match.

Eichler and Vitousek both led the Tigers for the day with 19 kills each. Robinson recorded 12 kills, while Pichard chipped in 51 assists and junior libero Mark Stevens had 10 digs.

Next up for the Tigers is Springfield College on Mar. 11 at 7 p.m. in Dillon Gym.