Thirteen and oh, so close

The women's volleyball train kept on rolling over the weekend, boosting its two-month-long win streak to 19 games in historic fashion.

On Friday night, Princeton (21-3 overall, 13-0 Ivy League) beat Brown (7-16, 5-8), 3-0, in Providence, R.I., clinching a berth in the NCAA tournament along with the Ivy League title. Friday's victory was also head coach Glenn Nelson's 560th career win at Princeton, which established a new record for the most career victories by a Tiger coach in any sport. Princeton followed up its monumental win by toppling Yale (15-7, 9-4) the next day in New Haven, Conn., by a 3-1 score.

Now, if the Tigers can defeat Penn in Philadelphia on Wednesday night, they can become the first team in Ivy League history to finish a conference season 14-0.

Princeton entered its game against Brown on Friday with much on the line, knowing that a win would put its coach in the record books and — coupled with a Quaker loss — vault the Tigers to a league title. As it has all season, Princeton rose to the occasion.

"I think as a team we felt a little bit of pressure going into the game against Brown," junior middle blocker Lindsey Ensign said. "We had never played well in their gym due to poor lighting and its large space, but once we started playing the pressure disappeared."

Did it ever. The Tigers dominated the Bears from the outset, sweeping past Brown for a 32-30, 30-21, 30-25 victory. The Princeton effort was paced by sophomore outside hitter Sheena Donohue, who led the team with 18 kills. Ensign and junior outside hitter Parker Henritze also combined for another 28 kills. Senior libero Jenny McReynolds controlled the backcourt with a game-high 26 digs.

It seems fitting that Nelson captured the career wins mark in what has already been a historic season for the Tigers. The 19-game win streak is the longest in team history, eclipsing the previous mark of 16, set in 1994.

"Clinching the Ivy League title on the same night our coach set the school's win record was pretty surreal," McReynolds said. "Not only were we playing to win in order to secure the title, but that night we were playing to win for our coach. Knowing that we did both that night really made the night special."

After accomplishing so much on Friday evening, the Tigers were certainly in position for a let down Saturday afternoon against Yale. But Princeton kept hold of its focus and its perfect conference record, defeating its perennial rival 30-27, 25-30, 30-24, 30-22.

Once again, the Tigers came out firing, earning a 30-27 victory in the opening game behind the frontcourt play of Donohue, Ensign and Henritze. After a second game lapse, the Tigers quickly regrouped, running off with the third and fourth games in impressive fashion.

Donohue's 25 kills led the Tigers for the second day in a row. In addition, Henritze put forth her customary all-around effort, pacing Princeton with a 21-kill, 17-dig and five-ace performance. Junior setter Bailey Robinson registered a game-high 56 assists.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Princeton's win streak is the way in which it has continued to improve throughout the season while flirting with perfection. As the Tigers trek deeper into their season, they have defeated teams with increasing ease. This past weekend was a prime example, as the Tigers defeated Brown and Yale in even more definitive fashion than they had earlier in the season.

Get the best of the ‘Prince’ delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe now »

"Strategically, our game is still the same as it was at the beginning of the season, but our ability to execute has reached a higher level than it ever has been," Ensign said. "I think we will continue to improve until our season is completely over."

That's a scary thought for Penn, Princeton's next opponent. Earlier in the season, the Tigers eked out a 3-2 victory over the Quakers. On Wednesday, the Tigers will be providing a fan bus to Philadelphia, encouraging Tiger supporters to follow them as they seek out a perfect Ivy season and yet another claim on history.