Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Rutgers-Newark
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Volleyball Extends Season With 3-0 Playoff Win Over Rutgers; St. Francis Looms
April 23, 2009 | Men's Volleyball
Seniors Phillip Rosenberg and Mike Vincent remembered what happened in the 2008 EIVA postseason, when Princeton watched a 2-0 lead slip away in a loss to NJIT. The pair of seniors wouldn't let it happen again, as they combined for 21 of Princeton's 44 kills in a 3-0 victory over Rutgers-Newark.
The 30-26, 30-27, 30-22 victory over the Hay Division champion Rutgers-Newark leads the sixth-seeded Princeton Tigers into Saturday's EIVA quarterfinal match at Saint Francis. Princeton has split a pair of 3-2 decisions with the Red Flash, with both teams winning on the opponent's courts. Through 10 sets, Princeton actually won a total of nine more points than the the third-seeded Red Flash.
Vincent, who was named first-team All-EIVA Wednesday afternoon, hit .421 and added four blocks to go along with his 10 kills, while Rosenberg recorded 11 kills and a pair of digs. Juniors Jeff McCown and Carl Hamming both recorded nine kills, while senior captain Brandon Denham led all players with 40 assists. Princeton hit .322 for the match, while the Scarlet Raiders were limited to a .192 attack percentage.
"I'm impressed with the way we've stepped up recently," said Rosenberg, referring to a big road victory over George Mason which pushed Princeton into the playoffs with momentum. "Last year, we were playing really well until spring break and came back slow. This year, we have stepped up since our break. I had never gone down to Mason and won."
The victory not only extends the careers of the Princeton seniors, but it also extends the coaching tenure of Glenn Nelson, the winningest coach in Princeton history. Nelson announced his retirement during the season, and Rosenberg said his teammates are hoping to keep him around as long as possible.
"I'd love to take him at least to the EIVA final," he said. "I've never been there, and he hasn't since the team that won in 1998. I think we have a good shot at it."