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Volleyball Claims Another Ranked Foe, Tops #13 Harvard In Four-Set Thriller
February 14, 2015 | Men's Volleyball
BOX SCORE
As it turns out, 13 has been a lucky number for the Princeton men's volleyball team this season. One month after defeating 13th-ranked Cal-State Northridge, the Tigers went out on Friday the 13th and knocked off the 13th-ranked Harvard Crimson 3-1 in a thrilling home opener at Dillon Gym.
Of course, any win over Harvard is as sweet as it gets, and this one was particularly exciting. Senior Cody Kessel recorded a match-high 22 kills to lead Princeton to its first regular season win over the Crimson since 2013. Of course, the victory extends the Tiger win streak over its Ivy brethren to two, dating back to Princeton's 3-1 EIVA semifinal win last season.
Since Princeton received full varsity status prior to the 1998 season, this is only the third time the Tigers have beaten two ranked opponents in the same season; the others were in 1998 and 2013. It is also the program's 11th ranked win over a ranked opponent since the 1998 season.
Kessel wasn't the lone hero for the Tigers. Sophomore middle blocker Junior Oboh, who came into the weekend ranked second in the EIVA in blocks, recorded 10 kills, seven blocks and three service aces. Freshman Kendall Ratter, in his first career home match, added 11 kills and three service aces for the Tigers, who are now 2-0 in the EIVA.
The Tigers let a first-set lead get away in a 26-24 loss, but they bounced back impressively for wins of 25-19 and 25-21 in the next two sets. Princeton raced out early in the fourth, but Harvard battled back and eventually took the lead. The Tigers fought off a trio of set balls before grabbing a 27-26 lead. Head coach Sam Shweisky subbed in Jonah May to serve, and he rewarded the decision with an ace off the hands of Harvard libero Samuel Murphy.
That ignited another enthusiastic Dillon crowd, which has become a Princeton trademark for its biggest matches recently.
Senior middle Will Siroky and junior outside Devin Stearns both had six kills, while senior libero Tony Ensbury recorded seven digs. None was bigger than one late in the third off a huge swing by DJ White, which ended up being a point by Kessel in a late run to the 25-21 win. Sophomore setter Chris Kennedy added seven digs with his 46 assists; as a team, Princeton hit .305 for the match.
Princeton will return to Dillon Gym Saturday at 4 pm to take on Sacred Heart in another EIVA matchup.