Princeton University Athletics
Players Mentioned
Second Place, Senior Class Earn Focus During Home Volleyball Weekend
April 01, 2010 | Men's Volleyball
With second place on the line in one match and a chance to honor its senior class in another, the Princeton men's volleyball team is gearing up for its final full home weekend of the 2010 season.
It's been a few weeks since Princeton's last home volleyball match, but few who were here will soon forget the trio of classics held in this venue. In three Tait Division matches, Princeton topped Saint Francis, Juniata and Springfield by matching 3-2 scores to stay in the hunt for second place in the division.
To complete a perfect home schedule against the non-Penn State portion of the Tait, and to keep its very real hopes alive for second place in the division at the end of the season, Princeton will now face a team that is annually among the EIVA elite. George Mason might not have the prettiest record in the world, but a closer inspection shows that the Patriots are right in the hunt for second as well.
"Friday's match again George Mason is a critical match for us and our pursuit of the second position in the Tait division," head coach Sam Shweisky said. "A win against Mason will be the perfect momentum we need to carry us forward for our final two Tait road matches."
Mason is playing its final Tait road match tonight and will end the season with four straight at home, including an April 11 showdown with Princeton. A late surge could easily leave the Virginia power in a strong position for the EIVA playoffs.
Of course, Princeton is looking for the same position, and two more wins would likely assure the Tigers of being on the opposite end of Penn State in the draw. Freshman Pat Schwagler, a former EIVA Player of the Week, has been a key player for Princeton in the last month and is making a real bid for All-East honors.
Shweisky and the Princeton athletic department has taken extra steps to make sure the gameday atmosphere Friday night is at the top level.
"The Princeton band has agreed to come to the match which we are extremely excited about," Shweisky said. "We are hoping the band and the high
stakes nature of the match will help attract a powerful home crowd. We have won our last three home matches in five-set, thrilling come-from-behind
victories, and we expect fans to see another thriller Friday night."
On Saturday, Princeton will host Ramapo at 1 p.m. on Senior Day. The Tigers will honor their five seniors: Reid Fritz, Dave Hughes, Jeff Zhao and co-captains Carl Hamming and Jeff McCown. Both co-captains are three-year starters and key figures during the strong 2010 season.