After five straight wins, including four in the Ivy League, No. 19 men’s volleyball (13–9 overall, 9–1 EIVA) achieved a critical season sweep over Harvard (9–12, 5–5) with wins on Friday and Saturday at Dillon Gym.
The Tigers are now one win away from cementing the No. 1 seed in the EIVA Tournament and earning home court advantage for the conference tournament. After the win on Saturday against Harvard on senior night, Princeton took the lead in the all–time series 16–15.
“It feels absolutely electric to get the wins we did in front of friends and family,” senior outside hitter Nyherowo Omene told The Daily Princetonian. “It means even more because it means we’re one step closer to hosting and eventually winning the conference.”
On a high-stakes Friday night at Dillon Gym, Princeton delivered a tone-setting win, overcoming Harvard in a tricky home matchup.
Princeton and Harvard went toe–to–toe in set one, with the Tigers barely edging the Crimson to win 25–23. The second set was just as entertaining. In a back and forth affair, the Orange and Black fended off four set points from Harvard, with junior middle blocker Ryan Vena providing two kills in the final three points to squeak out a 31–29 win. Having found their groove, the third and final set was all Tigers as they sealed a match sweep over the Crimson.
The Tigers and Crimson took to the court for a rematch on Saturday afternoon, providing a blockbuster contest in front of a packed Dillon Gym crowd. Despite a slow start and a roller coaster of emotions, the Orange and Black were able to pull out a gritty 3–2 win.
After having failed to win a set on Friday night, Harvard started quickly in the second game of the series. Although both squads traded points early, the Crimson took a 7–6 lead that they did not surrender for the remainder of the set. Harvard took the first set 25–23.
The second set, a crucial opportunity for Princeton to tie the score instead of going down 2–0, was just as tight. From the beginning, it was a back and forth affair, with both teams taking the lead multiple times. Princeton won four straight points, capped off by an electrifying service ace from Omene and followed by a kill from senior setter Henry Wedbush.
Dillon Gym was on its feet, and the Tigers took advantage of this energy late in the set when they needed it most. Omene and sophomore outside hitter Jameson Vaccaro combined for three kills to deliver Princeton a set point at 24–22. A pair of detrimental Crimson errors at 24–24 gave the Tigers the second set 26–24.
“[Winning the second set] was very important for morale,” said Omene. “It also tested us in a high pressure situation that we’re likely to be in later on in the season.”
Riding a wave of momentum after the nail biting finish to the second set, Princeton looked to settle down and play a consistent, clean brand of volleyball to take a 2–1 lead. The Orange and Black trailed early in the set at 6–5, but it was the last time Harvard led in the frame. Princeton took a 13–11 lead behind more magic from Omene and three Crimson service errors.
From there on out, Princeton maintained a lead that they refused to give up. The Tigers sealed a 25–21 third set win and took a 2–1 advantage.
Harvard had other plans. Holding a tight 14–13 lead midway through the fourth set, the Crimson went on a decisive six-point run. With little to no immediate response, the Tigers lost the set 25–16, setting up an enormous fifth set.
The race to 15 against Harvard in the final frame lived up to all the hype. Junior middle blocker Ryan Vena ignited the home crowd early on with a kill, but Harvard took early control of the set with a 5–2 lead. Although Omene answered back for the Tigers, the Crimson extended their lead to 7–3, leaving Princeton anxious on senior day.
With a four point deficit heading into the final stages of the final set, Princeton refused to quit. An ace from sophomore middle blocker Tristan Whitefield, another kill from Omene, and two Harvard errors cut the lead to just one at 8–7. Then, Dillon Gym erupted when a service ace leveled the score for the Tigers.
“We buckled down, looked around and saw that we had our entire support system there in the gym with us,” Omene told the ’Prince.’
“I don’t think I’ve ever experienced a sports atmosphere like that here in my career,” added Wedbush.
Harvard once again responded, taking a 13–10 advantage. However, Princeton’s seniors came up huge. Omene’s crucial kill, followed by a Harvard error, and a clutch service ace from Wedbush tied the score at 13–13. After Omene’s 18th kill of the game and an attack error from the Crimson on match point, the Tigers pulled off a milestone victory in a gutsy, 3–2 win over Harvard on senior night.
“Winning the second match was great, both for morale and for senior night magic,” Wedbush told the ’Prince.’ “I’m sure our parents, friends, and fans left just as exhausted as we did.”
Princeton’s two seniors capped off their final night at Dillon Gym with a marquee victory but still have much more to prove. Wedbush sits at 94 matches played for the Orange and Black, leading the Tigers with a whopping career 2,747 assists. Omene has played 97 matches, notching 1,032 kills and counting.
“[Princeton volleyball] is very special for me, I feel like I just got here and I’m already on the way out,” Omene told the ‘Prince.’ “I’ve absolutely cherished my time here at Princeton and I’m going to miss it.”
The Tigers travel to Happy Valley for their final conference games against Penn State (10–14, 7–3) next weekend as they vie to lock up the top seed and the right to host the EIVA conference tournament.
Lucas Nor is a Sports contributor for the ‘Prince.’
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
Read More
Faculty pass proposal to prevent the issuance of faculty-wide political statements
Nikki HanFaculty members can no longer issue faculty-wide statements expressing certain political positions or beliefs and can only vote on actionable proposals, after a vote at the faculty meeting on April 28.
Faculty members can no longer issue faculty-wide statements expressing certain political positions or beliefs and can only vote on actionable proposals, after a vote at the faculty meeting on April 28.
Jalen Travis ’24 selected by Indianapolis Colts in fourth round of NFL Draft
Alex Beverton-SmithWith his selection in the fourth round of the NFL Draft, Jalen Travis ’24 becomes the highest-ever drafted Princeton football player.
With his selection in the fourth round of the NFL Draft, Jalen Travis '24 becomes the highest-ever drafted Princeton football player.
Graduate Student Government focuses on CPUC, DCE, and a graduate student center
Meghana VeldhuisDuring its April 29 meeting, the Graduate Student Government discussed voting corrections, DCE policy reforms, and campus initiatives.
During its April 29 meeting, the Graduate Student Government discussed voting corrections, DCE policy reforms, and campus initiatives.