In the final match of the regular season, the men’s volleyball team was swept by EIVA opponent George Mason at Dillon Gymnasium on Saturday. The Tigers (13-9 overall, 9-5 EIVA) hung close for the first two sets, losing 25-23 and 26-24, but let their final set of the regular season get away to the Patriots (15-11, 11-3), dropping it 25-19.
Overall, Princeton’s offense struggled the whole day, hitting just .224 for the match, which is well below the Tigers' season average of .265. The Tigers’ defense also struggled, allowing George Mason to hit .358, compared to allowing opponents to hit just .229 during the season.
The first set was close all the way, with neither team taking a lead of more than five. After George Mason took a 20-15 lead, Princeton rallied and closed the deficit to 24-23 behind multiple Patriots’ hitting and service errors and two key kills by sophomore outside hitter Cody Kessel. But George Mason’s Andrew Dentler buried a kill against junior setter Davis Waddell to give the Patriots the opening set.
The second set was fiercely contested, with 12 ties and two lead changes. For much of the set, Princeton looked in control. The Tigers led as late in the set as 19-18, but an uncharacteristic string of service and hitting errors and some precise George Mason attacking gave the Patriots the 26-24 victory.
After leading the third set 10-7, the Tigers’ offense stalled and George Mason capitalized, reeling off a scoring run to put Princeton’s comeback bid to bed.
Despite the loss, there were some noteworthy performances. Princeton was led by Kessel, who logged a team-high 14 kills and hit .346. Kessel, who has been one of the centerpieces of Princeton's offense this season, was honored as an All-EIVA first team selection on Friday.
Kessel’s offense was supplemented by freshman outside hitter Devin Stearns, who added eight kills, and senior middle blocker Michael Dye, who finished the game with six kills and hit .500 for the match. Dye earned All-EIVA second team honors. Junior outside hitter Pat Schwagler, Princeton's leader in kills of the season with 285, struggled against George Mason. Schwagler, who joins Kessel as an All-EIVA first team selection, notched only seven kills on 25 attempts and hit -.040, well below his season average of .277.
Despite his rough hitting night, Schwagler tied with sophomore libero Tony Ensbury for the team lead in digs, with six apiece. Junior setter Davis Waddell continued his solid play, serving up 32 assists and slightly improving his season average of 10.05 assists per set.
The loss, coupled with Harvard’s sweep of Sacred Heart on Saturday, dropped Princeton to the fourth seed in this week’s EIVA championships in State College, Pa.
With a victory, Princeton would have secured the third seed and a rematch with George Mason on Thursday. With the loss, however, the Tigers will face Penn State on the Nittany Lions’ home court in the EIVA semifinals. Princeton and Penn State have played twice this year, with Penn State taking both matches in four sets. In what amounts to a make-or-break match for their postseason, the Tigers will look to get their offense back on track and hope to upset the No. 13 Nittany Lions on Thursday.
Read More
No. 7 women’s lacrosse season ends in NCAA quarterfinals against No. 1 UNC
Hayk YengibaryanWith the loss, the career of senior attacker Mackenzie Blake comes to an end. Blake finished her career with a program-best 231 career goals and three first-team All-Ivy selections.
With the loss, the career of senior attacker Mackenzie Blake comes to an end. Blake finished her career with a program-best 231 career goals and three first-team All-Ivy selections.
No. 3 men’s lacrosse season ends in NCAA quarterfinals after 19–18 loss to No. 5 Syracuse
Hayk YengibaryanWith the win, Syracuse advances to the final four for the first time since 2013. For the Tigers, their season ends along with the career of senior standout attacker Coulter Mackesy.
With the win, Syracuse advances to the final four for the first time since 2013. For the Tigers, their season ends along with the career of senior standout attacker Coulter Mackesy.
Preview: No. 3 men’s lacrosse plays No. 5 Syracuse in NCAA quarterfinals
Hayk YengibaryanShould the Tigers beat the Orange, they will advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2022 as they look to win their first national championship since 2001.
Should the Tigers beat the Orange, they will advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2022 as they look to win their first national championship since 2001.