Princeton University Athletics
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Fifth-Game Run Propels Harvard Volleyball To 3-2 Win Over Tigers
March 05, 2011 | Men's Volleyball
With a chance to get some much-needed momentum heading into the second-half of its season, the Princeton men's volleyball team had rallied from a 2-0 hole to lead 8-4 in the middle of the fifth game at Harvard. Out of nowhere, the Crimson put forth one final run to take the match and extend the Tigers' losing streak.
An 8-0 run in the fifth game led Harvard to a 25-16, 29-27, 22-25, 21-25, 15-10 victory over Princeton Saturday afternoon in Cambridge. While both teams are in the EIVA, the Crimson plays in the Hay Division, so the match had no effect on Princeton's chase for the final spot in the league postseason.
There were several individual performances to be excited about, including a 19-kill, four-ace, three-dig effort from freshman outside Jeff Stapleton. Sophomore Michael Dye added 17 kills and three blocks, while freshman Davis Waddell recorded 11 kills and six digs. Senior co-captains Keenan McCarthy and Vincent Tuminelli were defensive leaders for Princeton; McCarthy had a team-high five blocks, including two solos, while Tuminelli had 18 digs.
Junior Scott Liljestrom led the offense with 43 assists. Princeton had two game balls in the second game, but Harvard thwarted both and ultimately took a 2-0 lead with a 29-27 win. The Tigers battled back for a pair of victories and played well to open the fifth game, but a long service run by Michael Owen gave Harvard the lead, and it held on for the 15-10 win.
Princeton is now 1-11 overall and will return to the court Saturday night at 7 p.m. when it hosts Ball State at Dillon Gym.