Men's Volleyball: 5-set comeback saves Tigers’ playoff hopes

The Tigers (12-9 overall, 6-7 EIVA) dropped the first two sets against the Highlanders (12-16, 5-8). Princeton had 61 kills and hit at .223 for the match but could not communicate to coordinate any effective blocking against NJIT in their first two sets, losing 27-25 and 25-18.

Princeton regrouped in the third set, hitting more consistently and making fewer service errors. The Tigers took the game 25-20, but not without a fight from the Highlanders. It was a close struggle until Princeton pulled from behind to tie it at 18-18 and then won seven of the final nine points.

The Tigers took that momentum into the fourth set, winning again, 25-21. A key strategic move came in the usage of sophomore outside hitter Davis Waddell, who began to attack from the middle rather than the outside in certain rotations. Waddell also played well defensively, putting up two blocks.

“We stuck with Coach [Sam] Shweisky’s blocking plan,” Waddell said. “It paid off in the end.”

Fellow sophomore outside hitter Jeff Stapleton also had a monstrous game, recording three blocks and 14 kills, including the one that won the match.

“So many guys stepped up tonight with our season on the line. [Freshman] Will Siroky and [junior] Dan Tien had huge serving runs that kept us in the match,” Stapleton said.

Siroky continued to build on his previous strong performances, hitting at .286 and posting seven kills and four blocks. Fellow freshman Cody Kessel once again led the team with 22 kills, adding an impressive seven blocks. Junior middle blocker Michael Dye had an impressive game on offense as well, posting 11 kills and serving two aces.

The Tigers won the final set 15-13, playing markedly better than they did at the beginning of the match.

“I’ve never started a match off so poorly and then have my setter get me engaged again. [Senior] Scott [Liljestrom] set a fantastic match and demonstrated his veteran poise,” Stapleton said.

Liljestrom, coming off of a recent injury, set up the offense for 52 assists. Freshman libero Tony Ensbury added 13 digs.

“Tony provided a lot of much-needed energy and focus tonight,” Waddell said.

Princeton’s biggest challenge is its final match against George Mason on Saturday — one that the Tigers need to win in order to advance to the post-season. Princeton currently sits in fifth place in the EIVA and must move into fourth in order to qualify.

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In their last match against the Patriots on March 10, the Tigers fell in straight sets. The Tigers could not stop George Mason’s serving phenomenon Michael Kvidahl, who recorded 10 service aces. Princeton’s playoff hopes also depend on undefeated EIVA leader Penn State beating St. Francis on Saturday, but the Nittany Lions are strongly favored to win the match.

Princeton will need to improve its passing and serving in order to beat the Red Flash, but the Tigers are confident that their momentum from their five-game win streak will push them into fourth place.

“Our season’s on the line,” Kessel said. “The playoffs start now.”