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Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
St. John's
Players Mentioned
Volleyball Overcomes Multiple Match Balls, Stuns St. John's 3-2
September 08, 2011 | Women's Volleyball
Playing without its most explosive hitter, the Princeton women's volleyball team recorded its best non-league victory in years Wednesday night. Balanced hitting and a key late surge led Princeton to a 3-2 road win over Big East rival St. John's.
Statistically, Princeton had only one advantage over the Red Storm, but it was the only one that mattered. Although St. John's scored 15 more points and recorded more kills, assists, digs and blocks, it was Princeton that overcame five match balls in a 25-23, 13-25, 25-23, 16-25, 19-17 victory at Carnesecca Arena in Queens, N.Y.
Princeton played without unanimous first-team All-Ivy League selection Lydia Rudnick, who should be back on the floor by the time Ivy League play begins for the Tigers. Instead, three players recorded double-digit kills for Princeton, and each came at a different position. Junior Jennifer Palmquist made her season debut and recorded 14 kills and six blocks at the rightside position, while senior Cathryn Quinn recorded 14 kills and four blocks from the middle.
Sarah Hanna started for Rudnick on the outside and was one of two freshmen who made huge showings for the Tigers, who are now 4-1 on the young season. Hanna recorded 11 kills and six assists, while classmate Ginny Willis came off the bench and recorded a team-best 31 assists and five digs at the setter position.
Senior Hillary Ford recorded a team-best 20 digs, while sophomore outside Sydney Brombal added seven kills off the bench.
Princeton trailed 19-18 in the opening set, but a 4-0 run on the service of Ford helped push Princeton to a 25-23 win. After a loss in the second, Princeton fought through a 22-22 tie to score three of the final four points, including the winning point by Quinn.
After a loss in the fourth set, Princeton found itself down 14-10 in the fifth. Sophomore Chelsea Parker ran off a long service run to force a tie, and then after a stretch of sideouts, Princeton finally pulled off a 19-17 victory.
Princeton returns to the court next weekend for the Rutgers Tournament.