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Princeton University Athletics
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Thrilling Rivalry Ignites Ivy Volleyball Season, As Princeton Heads To Penn
September 24, 2014 | Women's Volleyball
As if the Ivy League opener isn't exciting enough, recent history says there could be some magic on the court Friday night.
After all, it's Penn-Princeton.
| Gameday | Sept. 26 • 7 pm • The Palestra |
| Game Coverage |
Live Video l Live Stats |
| @PUTigers l @PrincetonVolley l @PUTigers_Live | |
| Rosters | Princeton l Penn |
| Statistics | Princeton l Penn |
| Last Weekend | Princeton goes 1-3 at Rutgers Invitational |
| Ivy League | Weekly Release • Statistics |
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
If you aren't able to get to the Palestra Friday night, you can follow the action either through the Ivy League Digital Network (subscription required) or via live stats. You can access both links in the chart above. All of Princeton's home matches this season will also be streamed on the Ivy League Digital Network.
CLOSE CALLS
Six of the last eight meetings between the two schools, including each of the last four Ivy League openers, have been decided in 3-2 thrillers. Last year, Princeton was able to open its Ivy season successfully with a 15-11 fifth-set win over the visiting Quakers. Kendall Peterkin, a two-time Ivy League Player of the Week already this season, led the Tigers with 21 kills in that match.
GOING THE DISTANCE
If Friday's match does go the distance, Princeton will be the team with greater experience in the situation. Five of the Tigers' 10 matches this season have reached a fifth set, while none of Penn's 10 matches have gone the distance. In fact, only two of Penn's 10 matches have gone beyond three sets.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
Both Princeton and Penn have hitters ranked in the Ivy League's Top 5 in kills. Peterkin leads the Ivy League with 4.3 kills per set, while Penn's Alexis Genske is tied for fifth with 3.0 kills per set.
BREAKING INTO THE TOP 25
Peterkin is among the national leaders in both kills and points per set. She is currently ranked 24th with 4.3 kills per set, and she is 25th nationally with 4.95 points per set.
SETTING THE TABLE
Princeton sophomore Lauren Miller leads the Ivy League with 10.64 assists per set. She has also helped Princeton become one of three teams in the league, along with both Harvard and Yale, to hit over .200 for the season.
SCOUTING PENN
The Quakers (3-7) are coming off a final-day split of the Big 5 Tournament, which included a 3-1 win over LaSalle. While Alexis Genske leads the Quakers with 3.0 kills per set, freshman Aimee Stephenson has been able to make an immediate impact with 2.3 kills per set. Penn has been using two different setters, and both Ronnie Bither and Alex Caldwell average an exact same 5.03 assists per set.
WHAT'S UP NEXT?
You'll never believe it, but Princeton actually gets to play at home this season. The Tigers will make their home debuts Oct. 3-4 when they take on Cornell (Oct. 3, 7 pm) and Columbia (Oct. 4, 5 pm). Princeton took two from Columbia last season, while both Princeton and Cornell won their home matches in a season split.