Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Springfield
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Springfield Gains Edge On Volleyball In Postseason Push With 3-1 Win
February 26, 2011 | Men's Volleyball
An efficient Springfield offense and a key win in the opening set guided the Pride to a 3-1 men's volleyball victory over Princeton Saturday afternoon at Dillon Gym. The win leaves Princeton in desperation mode heading into its final four divisional matches.
Springfield hit .459 for the match and gained its first Tait Division win with a 33-31, 25-15, 22-25, 25-21 victory over Princeton, which fell to 1-9 overall and 0-6 in the Tait. The Tigers have four division matches remaining, including a key rematch with the Pride next Friday; should the Tigers win in three sets, they would hold the tiebreaker between the two teams should a playoff spot be on the line. A Princeton win in five or a Springfield win would give the Pride the tiebreaker.
Princeton got a team-best 14 kills from freshman Jeff Stapleton and 13 from senior Vincent Tuminelli, who returned to the offensive lineup after dealing with an injury that forced him to the libero position. Both middles Brad Howard and Michael Dye added nine kills apiece, and Howard added three blocks. Junior setter recorded 43 assists and led Princeton to a .238 hitting percentage.
The first set was key, as the Tigers fought back from a game ball to force extra points, and twice served for the win. Springfield responded both times and grabbed a 32-31 lead on a kill by Greg Falcone, who had 11 kills without an error. A hitting error by Princeton ended the game and left the Tigers in another hole.
Following a dominant win in the second game, Springfield saw the best of Princeton in the third. The Tigers played sideout ball for much of the set, but they took a late two-point lead on kills by Dye and Keenan McCarthy. A combo block by Tuminelli and Howard ended the set and gave Princeton new life, but Springfield took control midway through the fourth and closed the match with a 25-21 win.