Princeton University Athletics
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Volleyball Looks To Avenge Earlier Five-Game Loss To Harvard
April 01, 2011 | Men's Volleyball
It's rare when Princeton and Harvard meet in a non-league event, but that is what will take place Saturday afternoon when the Tiger men's volleyball team hosts the Crimson in a 2 p.m. match at Dillon Gym.
The match will be the second-to-last home match for the Tigers, who will honor their seniors April 16 at 2 against Sacred Heart. Princeton has won two of its last three matches, including its first Tait Division victory of the season in a 3-1 win over Saint Francis. Senior Vincent Tuminelli, whose offense has been limited all season with nagging shoulder issues, was at his best in the win with 18 kills, seven digs and a .536 hitting percentage.
As a team, Princeton was as efficient as it has been in any Tait match. The team hit .452 in the four sets and saw its three non-middles (Tuminelli, Jeff Stapleton and Michael Dye) combine for 43 kills and only eight errors. Junior setter Scott Liljestrom assisted on 42 of Princeton's 47 kills and added six digs of his own, while middles Brad Howard and Keenan McCarthy combined to assist on 11 blocks.
While Saturday's match with Harvard won't do anything within the EIVA standings, there is always something special when these two schools meet. The first match was a thriller, won by the host Crimson in five sets. Stapleton had 19 kills and four aces in the match, which featured a Tiger comeback from an early 2-0 hole, but Harvard pulled out the fifth. Harvard is led by head coach Brian Baise, a former Princeton captain and team MVP.
Princeton will head on the road next weekend for a pair of matches at one of the top contenders for the 2011 NCAA title, Ohio State.