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Princeton University
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Juniata Pulls Out 3-2 Thriller In Men's Volleyball EIVA Opener
February 09, 2007 | Men's Volleyball
The Princeton men's volleyball team got double-digit kills from three different players, but its defense couldn't shut Juniata down at key moments in a 3-2 road loss for the Tigers in their 2007 EIVA opener. Junior captain Peter Eichler led the Tigers with 17 kills and forced a fifth game with a game-clinching kill, but the home squad managed a 15-7 win in the final game to close the match.
After dropping the opener 30-21, Princeton found a high level of play and pulled out a 32-30 win in the second game. Both teams split 30-27 decisions in the next two games, but Juniata pulled away late in the fifth game to clinch the match.
As a team, Princeton hit .165, while Juniata was more effective with a .331 attack percentage. Besides Eichler's 17 kills, Princeton got 12 kills in the EIVA debut of Carl Hamming and 11 kills from sophomore middle Mike Vincent. Sophomore setter Brandon Denham had 49 digs for Princeton, while Phillip Rosenberg added 13 digs.
Juniata threatened to run away with the match late in the second game. Ahead 28-26 with a game in hand, Princeton got a kill by Jeff McCown, a Juniata error and a service ace from Vincent to build a 29-28 lead. After Juniata forced a 30-30 tie, Hamming and Eichler came back with consecutive kills to earn a 32-30 win. Juniata took the third game, but Princeton built a sizable lead midway through the fourth game and held on for a 30-27 win.
Unfortunately for Princeton, a -.231 hitting percentage in the final game doomed the Tigers to a 15-7 loss. Princeton will compete at St. Francis Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m.