Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
George Mason
Men's Volleyball Falls To No. 14 George Mason 3-1
February 17, 2006 | Men's Volleyball
Feb. 17, 2006
Box Score
PRINCETON - Despite a fantastic effort from Jack Pichard and an exciting comeback in the opening game, the young Princeton men's volleyball team was unable to defeat the No. 14 George Mason Pioneers Friday night at Dillon Gym. Princeton will get another chance to move above the .500 mark in league play Saturday afternoon when it hosts Rutgers-Newark.
Princeton fought off three game balls in the opener and pulled out a 33-31 win, but George Mason showed its veteran resolve by bouncing back for a 30-24 win in the second game. George Mason gained the advantage midway through the crucial third game and held on for a 30-27 win, and the Pioneers capitalized on the momentum to pull off a 30-23 clinching win.
Pichard led Princeton with 16 kills, while both Peter Eichler and Michael Vincent added eight apiece. Setter Brandon Denham earned a double-double with 38 assists and 10 digs, while middle Brian Hamming recorded three solo blocks and three assisted blocks. Vincent added five assisted blocks of his own in the match.
The Tigers never came up with an answer for either Shaun Powell (20 kills) or Matt Steinfurth (10 kills, .714 attack percentage).
The Tigers had the early momentum with the game one rally. Trailing 29-27, Princeton scored on a service error and a kill from Pichard. A combined block from Denham and Hamming put Princeton ahead 30-29, but Mason came back with two points of its own to go ahead 31-30. Eichler put away the next ball to get to 31-31, and following an error by Powell, Hamming ended the game with a service ace. Mason controlled the second game throughout and took the lead in the third game on three consecutive aces by Hudson Bates. Princeton got to within two points late in the game, but Mason would not allow the Tigers to get any closer.
Princeton falls to 2-6 overall and 2-2 in EIVA Tait play with the loss. The Tigers will welcome Rutgers-Newark Saturday at 4 p.m.