Tigers Dominate Home Opener Against Merrimack, 3-0

Friday, January 30

Princeton, N.J.

7:00 PM

Princeton University

1-3,0-0EIVA

Merrimack

1-4,0-0DI Independent

Merrimack

Princeton

Tigers Dominate Home Opener Against Merrimack, 3-0

January 30, 2026 | Men's Volleyball

Box Score

PRINCETON, N.J. – Kicking off the home action with a dominant win, the Princeton men's volleyball team swept Merrimack, 3-0 (25-17, 25-20, 25-17) on Friday night in Dillon Gym.

Tristan Whitfield led the Tigers with a combined 13 points on the night from eight kills, two aces and three total blocks. With 10 total attempts, Whitfield hit a whopping .800.

Owen Mellon contributed his own 10 points on eight kills, an ace and two block assists.

Set one saw the Tigers pick up an early four-point lead off of two Whitfield kills and one from Mellon. Merrimack came back to tie it, 7-7, with a run of their own. Even through two points, though, the Tigers pulled away and didn't look back. Holding Merrimack to .083 hitting while forcing seven attack errors, Princeton took the first set 25-17.

Set two followed a similar pattern as the Tigers again took the lead early, before Merrimack was able to come back and even lead at 9-8. Going on a 5-1 run with Whitfield and Mellon leading the way again, Princeton was able to regain the advantage, 13-10.

Merrimack was able to climb back to tie it at 16 and 18, but the Warriors would not find a lead as the Tigers added another 3-0 run, courtesy of Ryan Vena, before finishing out the set, 25-20.

Princeton again dominated in the third set, looking to complete the sweep. After taking the lead at 3-2, the Tigers only extended their advantage as they raced toward match point. Whitfield added another three kills, with first-year Jeremiah Aro matching that with three of his own.

Nearing match point, Sebastian Daste added an ace to make it 24-15 Tigers. One last kill from Mellon completed the sweep with the third set 25-17.

Of Note

Whitfield's three blocks came from one solo and two block assists.
Nolan Kelly had a team-high 13 digs and 19 assists.
Merrimack led for a combined two points in the entire match as Princeton held it to .079 hitting on the night.

Up Next
The Tigers will stay at home to face St. Thomas Aquinas tomorrow at 4 p.m.