Super-Huhmann Performance Sends Princeton Past Reigning EIVA Champ George Mason 3-1

Saturday, February 18

Princeton, N.J.

7:00 PM

Princeton University

5-6, 3-1EIVA

George Mason

5-7, 2-3EIVA

George Mason

Princeton

Photo by: Beverly Schaefer

Super-Huhmann Performance Sends Princeton Past Reigning EIVA Champ George Mason 3-1

February 18, 2017 | Men's Volleyball

Box Score

When a 2-5 Princeton squad opened up a four-match homestand to begin EIVA play, even head coach Sam Shweisky had no idea what would happen. A 3-1 start — punctuated in style with a four-set win over reigning league champion George Mason — probably wasn't high on his list of expectations, but he'll certainly take it.

And now Princeton will hit the road and try to build on it.

Led by a brilliant all-around performance by freshman middle blocker George Huhmann, the Tigers moved into a share of first place in the EIVA with a 25-18, 25-17, 25-27, 25-23 victory over the Patriots Saturday night in Dillon Gym. Princeton (5-6, 3-1 EIVA) shares first place with Sacred Heart, which upset Penn State 3-1 Saturday night in State College.

For the second straight match, a member of Shweisky's nationally ranked freshman class took the match over. Four days after Parker Dixon posted 22 kills in a 3-1 home victory over NJIT, Huhmann killed 10 balls on 10 swings and added nine blocks in the win over Mason. He had four solo blocks in the victory and led Princeton with 16.5 points, those Dixon had another strong performance with 14 kills. His last one was the biggest; Mason fought off one match ball, leading to a Princeton timeout. Senior setter Jonah May (40 assists) backset Dixon, who pounded a swing off the libero for the clinching point.

Junior Kendall Ratter added 10 kills and four service aces, while classmate Junior Oboh had seven kills and three blocks. The middle duo of Huhmann and Oboh combined to hit .727 (17-1-22) against a strong Mason squad.

After opening its league season with four straight home matches, Princeton will head to New England next weekend to take on Harvard (Friday, 7 pm) and Sacred Heart (Saturday, 4 pm) to continue its league slate.