.png&width=24&type=webp)
Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
West Virginia
Players Mentioned
Volleyball Drops Two In Opening Day Of West Virginia Classic
September 19, 2009 | Women's Volleyball
Princeton got 12 kills from freshman Lydia Rudnick and 23 assists from classmate Molly Bagshaw, but a veteran George Mason team was too strong during the opening match of the West Virginia Classic Saturday. The host Mountaineers outlasted Princeton in two close games in the nightcap and came away with a 3-1 victory.
George Mason 3, Princeton 0
Princeton hung tough in the opening set against the 10-3 Patriots, but the Tigers couldn't manage a game in a 25-22, 25-15, 25-16 loss. Rudnick led Princeton with 12 kills, while senior outside Sheena Donohue added seven kills. Both players joined senior libero Torri Patel with a team-best nine digs, while both Jennifer Palmquist and Elizabeth McStravick both recorded three blocks.
Princeton was even at 15 in the first set when George Mason ran off five straight points; a kill by Cathryn Quinn ended the surge and ignited a 4-1 Tiger run that concluded with a combo block by Palmquist and McStravick. Mason called timeout and was able to regain the momentum for a 25-22 win. A 12-2 run midway through the second set put the Patriots in firm control of the match, and George Mason followed with a strong third game to take the match.
West Virginia 3, Princeton 1
Donohue had a much more effective second match, recording 16 kills and 23 digs, but it wasn't enough to upset the host Mountaineers. Donohue was one of three Princeton players with double-digit kills; Rudnick recorded a double-double with 12 kills and 14 digs, while Quinn had 10 kills and a .381 attack percentage. Patel had a career-best 31 digs and added a service ace in the match, one of three for the Tigers. McStravick recorded six blocks, while Bagshaw had 34 assists in the match.
A late drought cost Princeton once again, as the Tigers led the first set 22-19 before giving up the final six points in a 25-22 loss. The second set would be an even closer affair, but The Citadel was able to side out late and got a kill from Abby Raines for the 25-23 victory. On the strength of a long service run by Rudnick, Princeton went on a 10-0 streak early in the third and threatened to make a match of it, but West Virginia took control again in the fourth set to close out the match.
Princeton will conclude the West Virginia Classic Sunday against Duquesne.