Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
George Mason
Players Mentioned
Volleyball Falls 3-0 At #12 George Mason, Will Open Postseason April 19
April 11, 2008 | Men's Volleyball
The Princeton men's volleyball team concluded its 2008 regular season with a hard-fought 3-0 loss at No. 12 George Mason, the lone team to defeat top-ranked Penn State this season. The defeat clinched the fourth seed for the Tigers, who will face either Juniata or NYU Saturday, April 19, at Dillon Gym.
As has been the trend for Princeton (and most other Tait Division teams) this season, Friday's loss completed a series split between the Tigers and Patriots. Princeton swept its series against seventh-place East Stroudsburg, got swept by first-place Penn State and split its series with every other team in the division. In each case, Princeton won at home and lost on the road.
Arguably its best home win in recent history was the 3-1 win against George Mason last month. The Tigers looked to continue the momentum from that win in game one, but George Mason won the key points late for a 34-32 victory. Princeton hung tough in the final two games, but Mason picked up matching 30-26 wins in both.
Princeton was led by its 2007 All-East duo of Peter Eichler and Mike Vincent Friday night. Eichler, playing the final regular-season match of his career, had 12 kills and a block, while Vincent had 13 kills and zero errors. Junior setter Brandon Denham led Princeton in assists (40), digs (seven) and aces (two).
The Tigers will now await the winner of Wednesday's EIVA first-round match between eighth-seeded NYU and fifth-seeded Juniata. Princeton earned the tiebreaker over Juniata via game differential, while NYU earned the final playoff spot by placing second in the EIVA Hay Division. Princeton has gone 1-1 against both opponents this season, with both victories coming at home.