Tigers to advance to EIVA playoffs

The Princeton men’s volleyball team (11-11 overall, 6-5 EIVA) had a come-from-behind victory over Saint Francis University (6-19, 4-7)Friday night, securing a place in the EIVA playoffs. Despite falling to Penn State (17-9, 11-0) in four sets — 25-27, 25-19, 25-21 and 25-15 — on Wednesday, the Tigers reboundedon Saturday to ensure that they will be playing in the playoffs. The Tigers fell behind early in the match before storming back to win the final two sets for a 3-2 (26-24, 19-25, 23-25, 28-26, 15-12) victory. Senior All-American outside hitter Cody Kessel led the charge with 17 kills and four aces against Penn State and 30 kills during the course of the Saint Francis match to clinch the playoff spot.

Against Penn State, the Tigers came out cold and trailed for the majority of the first set, falling behind as far as 19-14. Led by Kessel and attacking errors by Penn State, the Tigers roared back and fought off a Penn State set point to take the first set by a score of 27-25.

This would be the most success the Tigers would have, however, as Penn State began to roll and never looked back. In the second set, Penn State won the first three points for an early lead. The Tigers never led in the set as Penn State dominated play. Thanks to a strong service game and a weak Princeton service game, Penn State went on to win the set relatively easily by a score of 25-19.

The Tigers looked to have recovered their rhythm early in the third set by jumping out and leading 3-0. The Tigers would lead the majority of the set, not giving up the lead until falling behind 19-18. The Tigers led as much as 15-11. A service error by Chris Kennedy allowed Penn State to then change the momentum at 19-19 and ultimately win the set 25-21. Penn State dominated the fourth set thanks to strong play upfront, allowing them to win the set handily 25-15. The loss to Penn State set up an important match against Saint Francison Friday.

The Tigers raced out to an early lead against Saint Francis in the first set with a tight 26-24 victory. The set was close the whole way through, with the biggest lead of the set coming when the Tigers led 8-4. The Tigers had a set point up 24-23 before Saint Francis had a kill to tie the score at 24 apiece. Sophomore middle blocker Junior Oboh had a kill to give the Tigers another match point before an attack error by Saint Francis gave Princeton a 1-0 lead.

In the second set, Princeton stuck close with Saint Francis, essentially alternating points until 13-13. Saint Francis, however, proceeded to go on a 12-6 run to draw the match at online casino a set each. The third set was similar to the first set, close the entire way through. The lead was never greater than one for either team, and the Tigers moved out to a 15-12 lead before dropping three points in a row to once again tie the set. Saint Francis led 24-22 before Princeton fought off one set point thanks to a kill from Kessel. Saint Francis responded with a kill, however, to take a 2-1 set lead.

In the fourth set, the Tigers generally maintained a slim lead throughout before Saint Francis tied the set at 23-23. Thanks to a kill by Oboh, the Tigers had their first set point at 24-23. The teams essentially traded kills until the set was tied at 26 points apiece. Kessel had a kill to give the Tigers their fourth set point of the set. Saint Francis would not deny the Tigers for a fourth time, however, thanks to an attacking error that gave the Tigers a 28-26 victory.

In the tie-breaking fifth set, the Tigers used the momentum from the fourth set to jump out to an early 7-3 lead with four of their seven points coming from Kessel kills. Saint Francis came roaring back, however, to tie the set at seven apiece. The teams alternated points until 12-12. Thanks to three kills from senior middle blocker Will Siroky, the Tigers won the last four points of the set and match to win 15-12. The Tigers have one remaining regular season match against George Mason this Friday before the EIVA playoffs begin April 29.