EIVA playoffs kicking off after inconsistent season

That being said, the Tigers currently find themselves in an enviable position, holding the third seed in the EIVA tournament, with the first-round bye and home playoff game that accompany this accolade. On Saturday night, Princeton will welcome the winner of this Wednesday’s NJIT-Springfield matchup to Dillon Gym for its playoff opener. A win on Saturday would send the Tigers to State College, Pa., for the EIVA final four, whose winner goes to the NCAA tournament.

Princeton is currently playing some of its best volleyball of the season, making a fast return to form following an almost one-month midseason layoff. The Tigers clinched the third seed in the EIVA tournament with a 3-0 win over Juniata two weeks ago. In that game, Princeton showed how dominant a team it can be, controlling every aspect of the game against its conference rival. The Tigers’ success when they have played up to their potential gives them a degree of confidence entering the playoffs.

“I think all that matters is how well we prepare ourselves,” senior outside hitter and captain Peter Eichler said. “We have shown this year that when we play to the best of our ability and don’t make too many dumb mistakes, neither [NJIT nor Springfield] can beat us.”

To play their best game, the Tigers will need another stellar performance from Eichler, their senior captain and recently named first-team All-East performer. Eichler currently leads the team in kills and aces, and ranks in the top five in the EIVA in these categories.

Complementing Eichler on the offensive end will be the outside-hitting tandem of junior Phil Rosenberg and sophomore Carl Hamming. When all three of these players are on top of their games, the Tigers often have too many offensive weapons for their opponents to handle. Adding to Princeton’s offensive array is six-foot, nine-inch junior middle blocker Mike Vincent, who repeated his honors from last season when he was named second-team All-East this week.

Junior setter Brandon Denham, who averages 13.11 assists per game, will look to give his teammates plenty of kill opportunities. On the defensive end, the Tigers will be anchored by junior libero Ka’ohu Berg-Hee, who leads the team in digs.

The Tigers are certainly looking forward to opening the EIVA tournament at home in Dillon Gym, where they have lost only one match all season. At home, Princeton benefits from a raucous fan base that will undoubtedly be out in full force Saturday night. In fact, other than their loss to Penn State, the Tigers have dropped just four games at home all season.

“It’s an advantage having a bye and certainly to play at home. We’re looking forward to getting things off on the right foot,” Eichler said.

While the Tigers will benefit from opening the playoffs on their home court, it will take a concerted team effort, with Princeton’s offense and defense clicking on all cylinders, for the team to make a successful run through the EIVA tournament.

“We’re going to have to play well with intensity, focus and discipline to make an extended run,” Eichler said. “It’s really that simple.”

This will be easier said than done with perennial powerhouse Penn State looming in the Tigers’ path to the EIVA title. But history may be on Princeton’s side this season. This season marks the 10-year anniversary of the Tigers’ 1998 EIVA tournament title, the only time that Penn State has not won the tournament since 1990.

Though many of Princeton’s current players were in grammar school 10 years ago, this team has the depth and talent to match the lofty mark set by its predecessors. If the team can return to the form it displayed during its six-game winning streak in March, the Tigers have the ability to end this up-and-down season on the ultimate high note.