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Third-Ranked BYU Powers Past Volleyball In Three Tight Sets
February 13, 2016 | Men's Volleyball
BOX SCORE
Despite a season-best 14 kills from Kurt Thiemann — a total that was only one off his career high — the Princeton volleyball team didn't have enough answers for one of the NCAA's best offenses. The third-ranked BYU Cougars fought off a gritty effort from Princeton Friday night for a 25-22, 25-19, 25-22 victory in front of a packed Dillon Gym crowd.
BYU, the highest-ranked team to play in Dillon Gym this decade, made only four errors and hit .492 in its ninth win of the season. Princeton actually had eight more kills in the win, but BYU's presence at the net (14.5 blocks to 0) helped make up the difference against the upset-minded Tigers.
Princeton had its moments in every set. While the Tigers were within a point late in both the first and third sets, they actually held a 14-10 lead midway through the second. The Cougars ran off 15 of the next 20 points to clinch that one, and then finished the match 25-22.
While Thiemann was Princeton's top performer, he wasn't the lone standout for the Tigers. Sophomore Kendall Ratter had a season-best 12 kills, the second most of his Princeton career, while Devin Stearns added 19. Sophomore Billy Andrew had four kills and three service aces. Junior Jonah May had 39 assists, while senior Michael Bagnell added a match-best eight digs.
Princeton will return to EIVA play next weekend when it heads to No. 15 Saint Francis and No. 7 Penn State.