Princeton Pushes #6 Pepperdine Before Falling In Opener

Sunday, December 30

Malibu, Calif.

5:00 PM PST

Princeton University

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Pepperdine

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Princeton

Pepperdine

Photo by: Beverly Schaefer

Princeton Pushes #6 Pepperdine Before Falling In Opener

December 30, 2018 | Men's Volleyball

Box Score

The junior duo of Parker Dixon and Greg Luck combined for 19 kills and nine digs and helped Princeton put a bit of a scare into the sixth-ranked Pepperdine Waves Sunday night in the opening match of the 2019 men's volleyball season. Pepperdine capitalized on a strong start to claim a 3-1 home win, though Princeton can take plenty into Wednesday's match at #2 UCLA.

It took the Tigers a bit of time to work themselves into the match with one of the nation's elite programs, but they showed in the final two sets why they were picked atop the EIVA standings in the preseason poll. Princeton used runs of 6-2 and 4-1 in the third set to post a 25-19 victory, and they stayed with the host Waves throughout the fourth before falling 25-20 in the finale.

Dixon had 10 kills, four digs and two service aces in the match, while Luck added nine kills, five digs and a pair of blocks during the match. Pepperdine paid close attention to preseason All-American George Huhmann, who was held to four kills, one block and one ace, but that focus allowed Dixon and Luck to have more open swings throughout the match. Freshman middle Attila Delingat had some impressive moments in his collegiate debut, especially on the defensive end; he led Princeton with five blocks, and he added two kills on only five swings.

Fellow freshman Jerod Nelson also had some strong moments in his debut, as he posted four kills and five digs for Princeton. Sophomore setter Joe Kelly had 20 assists for the Tigers, while senior libero Corry Short added four digs.