Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
George Mason
Men's Volleyball Gets Much-Needed Momentum With Upset Of No. 13 George Mason
March 06, 2005 | Men's Volleyball
March 6, 2005
Box Score
PRINCETON - With all-league middle blocker Brian Hamming on the sideline with an injury and No. 13 George Mason celebrating an easy victory in game one, there was little reason to believe the Princeton men's volleyball team would end a recent skid. Unfortunately for Mason, the people that believed were the Tiger players, and their belief was rewarded with a 3-2 thriller.
Princeton improved to 3-8 overall and 2-5 in the EIWA Tait with the victory over George Mason, which had defeated Princeton 3-0 one week earlier. The Tigers, who dropped the opener 30-21, rallied for wins of 33-31 and 36-34 in the next two games. George Mason cruised to a 30-18 win in the fourth game, but Princeton jumped out a big lead and pulled out the 15-12 win in the fifth game. The Tigers trailed 18-10 in the second game before beginning a timely run to get back in the match. Freshman Peter Eichler, who matched senior Sean Vitousek with a team-high 19 kills, ignited the run with four points on his serve, including two on aces. Reserve Aaron Linsky and senior outside hitter and 2004 all-league selection Blake Robinson both made runs on their serve to finally gain Princeton a lead.
Mason would jump back in front and serve at 29-27, but a kill by Eichler and a block from Robinson and Evan Pasion evened the score at 29-29. Back-to-back errors a few points later would give Princeton the 33-31 win.
The third game was close most of the way, although the Patriots were usually either a point ahead or even of Princeton. The two teams played sideout ball from 25-25 on until a kill by Eichler and a Mason error gave Princeton a game ball at 31-30. Both teams would have at least one game ball after that, including one for Princeton at 35-34 following a kill by Robinson. An attack error by Felix Campos ended the game and put the No. 13 Patriots into a 2-1 hole.
George Mason, which knocked Princeton out of the 2004 EIVA playoffs with a 3-1 win in Dillon Gym, responded in style with a dominant 30-18 victory, but Princeton showed no ill-effects from that game when it started the fifth game. Princeton never trailed and ran off four straight points off the serve of setter Jack Pichard to turn a 7-6 lead to a comfortable 11-6 advantage. A couple of kills by Vitousek gave Princeton a match ball, and a serve into the net ended the thriller for Princeton.
Pichard ended the match with 51 assists, while libero Mark Stevens led Princeton with 10 digs. George Mason was led by Shaun Powell, who recorded 28 kills and hit an impressive .523.
The Tigers will next face Springfield College Friday at 7 p.m.