The men’s volleyball team has certainly been a story of endurance this year. On Friday, March 12, the Tigers (7-5 overall, 3-2 Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association Tait Division) challenged Springfield College and sealed their second-place divisional spot in another lengthy, five-game match. The Tigers got off to a slow start, but like they did in their game the previous week against Juniata, they climbed from a 0-2 game deficit to win in 5 games, 28-30, 28-30, 30-26, 30-26, 15-11.
“We struggled to start,” senior captain Carl Hamming said. “But by the end of game two we were fired up.”
Head coach Sam Shweisky agreed. “It was a hard week academically for the team and we started off in that post-midterm funk,” he said. “However, the boys kept fighting tonight, and I’m very proud of them.”
The Tigers were able to hang with Springfield the first two games with nice sets from sophomore setter Scott Liljestrom. Liljestrom threw off his opponents with a practiced backwards set that dovetailed nicely into kills from freshman outside hitter Pat Schwagler on the outside corner.
“Scott was feeding me money shots all night,” Schwagler said of his personal success that night. The freshman would finish the match with a career-best 31 kills, including one that would end the match. Liljestrom contributed 66 assists.
It was clear the Tigers had taken the Juniata game to heart and practiced their defense extensively in the week leading up to the Springfield game. Senior middle blocker Jeff McCown recorded eight blocks while also supplying an impressive offensive game.
The last three games were not without drama. There were several contested calls during the game, many of which the Tigers felt were made incorrectly against them. Hamming was pushed to keep his team calm despite the frustration.
“There’s always close calls,” the seasoned senior said. “It can get very tense and with only one ref, it’s easy to get into trouble if you’re getting angry and frustrated.”
Every point was hard-earned in the last three games, with long volleys between the two teams. Freshman outside hitter Sean Cotter proved to be instrumental in the defensive game, seeming to cover every inch of the Princeton court. He would finish the match with 10 digs. Fellow freshman Michael Dye recorded 12 kills and 5 blocks for a .385 attack percentage.
Despite the seeming miscommunication that almost cost Princeton the third game, the crowd and an energized bench lit a fire under the Tigers.
Shweisky gave credit to the bench and coaching staff. “We try to mimic the energy of our players as a coaching staff,” Shweisky said. “It’s great to coach a team that doesn’t give up. If they keep fighting, we’ll keep fighting.”
The back-and-forth game between the two teams that saw six lead changes was halted when a kill by junior Vincent Tuminelli put the Tigers ahead 18-17 in game four. Tuminelli then served another point and forced Springfield to call a timeout. The Pride later recovered the lead, only to be met with the strong serving of Schwagler, who pushed the Tigers ahead, 27–24. Schwagler, Dye, McCown and Tuminelli — the core of the offense that has been the bread and butter of the team this year — each contributed at least two kills in key moments to push the match to five games.
The fifth game began with Princeton finding itself down 3-0. Two kills from McCown got the Tigers back on track before a double-block from Schwagler and Dye pulled the team ahead 11-9. This margin put the Tigers ahead and positioned them to finish the match.
“It was a good win, but we need to learn how to win in three,” Hamming said, reflecting on what the Tigers would take away from their last two victories.
Shweisky agreed. “This proves we can fight,” he noted. “However, we need to learn to turn it on earlier, and have a strong start and a great finish.”
Schwagler had a different answer for why the Tigers have been relying on the back half of the match to secure victory. “I guess we’re just trying to make it more exciting for our fans,” he said.
Read More
With Pierce to sit out the year, men’s basketball loses last senior standing
Harrison BlankSenior forward Caden Pierce announced today that he will be sitting out his senior season of basketball at Princeton in the interests of maintaining his final year of eligibility.
Senior forward Caden Pierce announced today that he will be sitting out his senior season of basketball at Princeton in the interests of maintaining his final year of eligibility.
Women’s ice hockey names Courtney Kessel as new head coach
Lily PampolinaFollowing the resignation of Cara Gardner Morey, Princeton appointed Courtney Kessel as head coach.
Following the resignation of Cara Gardner Morey, Princeton appointed Courtney Kessel as head coach.
Former women’s basketball forward Parker Hill ’25 signs professional contract in Switzerland
Doug SchwartzAfter a successful senior season, women's basketball forward Parker Hill signed a contact to play professional basketball in Europe, following in the steps of her past teammates.
After a successful senior season, women's basketball forward Parker Hill signed a contact to play professional basketball in Europe, following in the steps of her past teammates.