Princeton University Athletics
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Volleyball Looks To Build On Sacred Heart During Another Home Pair
March 02, 2016 | Men's Volleyball
The Princeton men's volleyball team will officially be at the midway point of its EIVA season by the end of the weekend, and the Tigers would like nothing more than to remain in the top half of the league standings as they begin their turn home.
Princeton is currently 3-8 overall, but all three wins have come in EIVA play, including Saturday's 3-1 home victory over Sacred Heart. The senior duo of Devin Stearns and Zach Shaw carried the offense in that victory; they provided 32 of Princeton's 52 kills, and Shaw hit nearly .400 in the match.
That win moved Princeton into a tie for fourth place in the league — remember, only the EIVA top four make the postseason — with Sacred Heart. The Tigers lead George Mason by one in the loss column entering the weekend, and they would love to make sure they stay ahead of the Patriots at the end of the weekend.
Both matches this weekend, which begins Friday with a nonleague showdown against McKendree College, will be streamed live on the Ivy League Digital Network. You can also follow via live stats; both links are above.
ABOUT PRINCETON (3-8, 3-3 EIVA)
The Tigers continue to develop chemistry with five new starters on the court, and many of those new starters have had some big efforts recently. Prior to Shaw's 14-kill, six-dig, .393 effort against Sacred Heart, middle Billy Andrew had a four-kill, four-block, two-ace performance against Harvard. While the new starters are learning on the fly, All-East veteran Devin Stearns continues his brilliant year. He ranks third in the EIVA with 3.94 kills per set.
ABOUT McKENDREE (3-6, 3-5 MIVA)
Five of McKendree's six losses this season are to teams ranked in the AVCA, including two apiece to reigning NCAA finalists Lewis and Loyola-Chicago. The offense is faily balanced, as four players average more than two kills per set. Pasquale Fiduccia paces the offense with more than eight assists per set.
ABOUT GEORGE MASON (5-10, 1-4 EIVA)
Long-time Penn State assistant Jay Hosack, who worked with Princeton head coach Sam Shweisky on the USA Junior National Team coaching staff, took over the George Mason program during the summer. The Patriots have followed a four-match win streak with a four-match losing streak entering a Friday night match at NJIT. They remain strong offensively with three players averaging more than three kills per set, including Jack Wilson (3.74).