Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
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Men's Volleyball Sweeps NJIT, Clinches EIVA Postseason Berth On Senior Night
April 08, 2009 | Men's Volleyball
Double-digit kills from outside hitters Phillip Rosenberg and Vincent Tuminelli helped the men's volleyball team clinch a berth in the EIVA postseason with a 3-0 home victory over NJIT. The win, which came on Senior Night at Dillon Gym, avenged a season-ending loss to the Highlanders during the 2008 postseason.
Using one of their most dominant efforts of the season, Princeton hit .493 during a 30-20, 30-12, 30-17 victory to improve to 9-9 overall, 3-6 in the Tait Division. With three divisional victories, Princeton is guaranteed to finish above NJIT in the final standings and clinch at least the sixth seed in the postseason. Princeton has three matches remaining to try and move higher in the postseason, but at least it is assured of at least one more playoff trip under head coach Glenn Nelson.
Rosenberg recorded 11 kills and hit .643, while Tuminelli added 10 kills, six digs and a match-best five aces. Princeton had 13 aces in the match, including four from rightside junior Carl Hamming and three from junior middle Jeff McCown. Both players also added seven kills, while senior middle Mike Vincent had six kills and five blocks. Senior captain Brandon Denham recorded 36 assists, seven digs and four blocks in a team defensive effort that held NJIT to a .000 hitting percentage.
Princeton has two more home matches remaining this week, beginning Thursday against St. Francis, a team Princeton rallied from a 13-9 deficit in the fifth set to defeat 15-13. On Friday, Princeton will play host to reigning NCAA champion and 2009 EIVA postseason host Penn State.