Princeton University Athletics
Men's Volleyball Wins Road Thriller, Advances To Conference Semifinal Thursday
April 19, 2003 | Men's Volleyball
April 19, 2003
HUNTINGDON, Pa. - Juniata swept the Princeton men's volleyball team in two close matches in the regular season. The postseason brought an even closer match, and the first Princeton victory of the series. A 15-10 victory in game five pushes the Tigers into the EIVA semifinals and a meeting with No. 9 Penn State on Thursday evening in State College, Pa.
Princeton took the first game 30-28, while Juniata took the second by the same score. Princeton earned a 2-1 lead with a 30-25 win in the third game, but Juniata routed the Tigers 30-19 to force a fifth and deciding game. Princeton won eight of the final 10 points in the fifth game and advanced to the EIVA semifinal with a 15-10 win.
Senior Dennis Alshuler helped keep his career going with a team-high 18 kills, while Blake Robinson added 15 kills. Brian Hamming had eight, while Sean Vitouserk and Ryn Burns each added seven apiece. Pacing the offense was junior setter Jason Liljestrom, who recorded 52 assists.
Defense helped keep the Tigers in the match, as Juniata actually owned the advantage in several statistical categories. Alshuler had nine of Princeton's 31 digs, while EIVA Player of the Week Brian Hamming added seven blocks. Princeton got some help from Juniata, which had 28 service errors.
Princeton will now take on Penn State, which it has lost to twice this season. At Dillon Gym, Princeton held a 1-0 lead before Penn State pushed forward to take a 3-1 win. The Nittany Lions cruised in the second meeting at home, defeating the Tigers 3-0.