Tigers Fall to CUI, 3-0

Tuesday, January 20

Irvine, Calif.

5:00 PM PST | 8:00 PM EST

Princeton University

0-3,0-0EIVA

CUI

2-2,0-1MPSF

Princeton

CUI

January 20, 2026 | Men's Volleyball

Box Score

IRVINE, CALIF. – The no. 18 Princeton men's volleyball team fell 3-0 (22-25, 20-25, 23-25) on Tuesday night in Irvine as the Tigers concluded their three-game stint in California to open the season.

The Tigers were again led offensively by Owen Mellon, who had a game-high 15 kills for his third consecutive squad-high, double-figure performance.

Ambrose Engling and Tristan Whitfield each had two block assists on the night, while first-year Sebastian Daste added another alongside a squad-high five digs.

With the loss, Princeton falls to 0-3 on the season, while CUI improves to 2-2.

The Tigers took a small lead early in set one, but with CUI tying it at six, the advantage switched. Trailing by three points mid-way through the set, the Tigers clawed back with five kills from Mellon and four from Engling to tie it at 21. Still, CUI remained solid, taking the set with a 3-1 run to get to 25.

Princeton was on its back foot again in set two, as CUI took the lead early. The Tigers, trailing by eight points at 8-16, clawed their way back. With a 3-0 run featuring two kills by Mellon, they narrowed the deficit, but the Tigers were not able to equalize and CUI took a 2-0 lead.

In set three, the Tigers were in control as they took an early lead with a 3-0 run from a kill by Jeremiah Aro and two attack errors. CUI was able to tie it back up at five, but the Tigers were able to regain the advantage and extend it to five points at 20-15. However, giving up a 5-0 run with two attack errors, CUI was able to rally and tie it back up at 21.

Fighting to hold on to the set, Mellon tallied another kill, but the Tigers could not hold off CUI's surge of momentum and the Golden Eagles took the set, 25-23.

Coming back to the East Coast after three hard-fought games, the Tigers will next take the court in their own Dillon Gym as they host Merrimack next Friday, Jan. 30. First serve is set for 7 p.m.