Princeton University Athletics
Saturday, February 16
Princeton, N.J.
7:00 PM
Princeton University
vs
George Mason
Photo by: Beverly Schaefer
EIVA Leaders Set For Dillon Gym Showdown Saturday
February 14, 2019 | Men's Volleyball
LINKS: Live Video l Live Stats l EIVA Standings
As early as it is in the 2019 EIVA season — and it's incredibly early — it does seem fitting that the team that both won the 2018 regular season title and the team picked atop the 2019 preseason poll are currently the frontrunners in the EIVA race.
Of course, part of that reason is that George Mason and Princeton are the only teams with 2-0 league marks. Both Penn State and Harvard are 1-0, and NJIT entered the weekend without a league match on its record (the Highlanders will host Mason Friday night).
Regardless, Princeton and George Mason both made compelling cases last season why they should be among the 2019 EIVA favorites, and they will meet for the first of two regular-season matches Saturday at 7 pm in a match streamed live on ESPN+ (see link above). This will be the first meeting since a memorable 2018 EIVA semifinal, when fourth-seeded Princeton upset the host and top-seeded Patriots 3-1 to advance to the league final. Luck played a big part in that Tiger win, but maybe not the kind you would associate with that term; Greg Luck led all players with 18 kills and hit .424 to lead Princeton to its first championship match since 2014. Classmate George Huhmann added 15 kills and five blocks during the win.
Two of the EIVA's top three in kills will face off in this match. George Mason's Hayden Wagner currently leads the nation with 4.69 kills per set, while Princeton junior Parker Dixon ranks third in the EIVA and 15th nationally with 3.76 kills; Dixon is already a two-time EIVA Offensive Player of the Week.
These are also the two most efficient offenses in the East so far this season. Mason ranks first in the league and fifth nationally with a .329 attack percentage, while Princeton is second in the league and 16th nationally (.276).
Following this match, these two teams won't meet again until March 29. Maybe there will be a third showdown once again, and tonight's outcome could help decide where that match is played.
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