Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Juniata College
Men's Volleyball Fights Off Match Point, Claims 3-2 Home Thriller
March 18, 2006 | Men's Volleyball
March 18, 2006
Box Score
PRINCETON - After suffering two straight 3-2 home losses, the Princeton men's volleyball team was in desperate need of a swing in momentum. The Tigers got it with a clutch effort in the fifth game against Juniata, fighting off a match ball and going extra points before fighting off the Eagles 19-17 to claim a 3-2 win.
After claiming a win in the fourth game, Juniata jumped out to an 11-9 lead in the fifth game before Princeton put together one final surge. A kill from rightside hitter Jack Pichard and an error from Nate Ocasio evened the score at 11-11 and set up the point of the evening. Freshman setter Brandon Denham got his hand on a Juniata attack, sending the ball towards the stands. Pichard sprinted after it and sent the ball back over his head, where sophomore Peter Eichler made a leaping swing that sent it into the back left corner of the Juniata side for a winner.
That point gave Princeton a 12-11 lead, and the Tigers would soon make it 15-14, but Juniata fought back and eventually earned its own match ball at 16-15. Senior outside Ryn Burns hit a winner to even the score, and Princeton again got out to an 18-17 lead. An error from Jeremy Barndt gave Princeton the match and its third win in EIVA Tait play.
Pichard led Princeton with 20 kills, while Eichler added 16 kills. Denham added 58 assists and 11 digs, while freshman Michael Vincent had nine kills and five blocks. Liljestrom, who had several timely kills throughout the match, led all players with a .625 attack percentage. Princeton claimed the match 30-24, 25-30, 30-25, 23-30, 19-17. The win gives Princeton a season sweep of Juniata, which could come into play for postseason positioning if the two teams end up with the same record.
Juniata's Nate Ocasio led all players with 22 kills, while Matt Werle recorded 64 assists.