Princeton University Athletics
Volleyball Heads To Chicago, Will Tangle With Reigning NCAA Finalists
March 14, 2016 | Men's Volleyball
Spring Break may be a time of relaxation for many college athletes, but members of the Princeton men's volleyball team will use it to take on two teams that provided the Match of the Year in 2015.
It was also the final match of the year in 2015 — you know, the NCAA Championship.
Princeton is in Chicago this week and will take on both Loyola-Chicago (Monday, 7) and Lewis (Wednesday, 7) before returning for the second half of EIVA play. Both teams are currently ranked in the AVCA national poll, though the latest poll should come out prior to Monday's showdown with Loyola.
Last year, Lewis and Loyola met in a historic NCAA final, which saw both teams earn multiple championship points in a 23-21 final set. The Ramblers fought off two before grabbing a 22-21 lead and then clinching the title on a final block.
While graduation may have taken a healthy bit from both teams, they both remain in the top four in the MIVA standings. Loyola will be playing its first home match in more than one month Monday night, while Princeton will be playing at Loyola for the first time since 2013; the Ramblers won another five-set thriller that night as well.
It's been three years since Princeton has played Lewis as well, but Tiger head coach Sam Shweisky is plenty familiar with his opposing head coach Wednesday night. Lewis head coach Dan Friend served as head coach of the U.S.A. Men's Junior National Team each of the last two summers, while Shweisky was one of his two assistant coaches.
This year, Shweisky will serve as head coach of the USA Boys' Youth National Team.
For the time being, Shweisky is focused on his young Princeton squad, which could gain some important momentum this week before it returns for EIVA play. Five teams are currently within one match of each other in league play, and only two of them would qualify for the postseason if Penn State and Harvard hold the top two spots.