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Princeton University Athletics
Saturday, January 31
Princeton, N.J.
4:00 PM
Princeton University
2-3,0-0EIVA
3
vs
0
St. Thomas Aquinas
2-7,0-0ECC
1
2
3
F
St. Thomas Aquinas
24
21
18
0
Princeton
26
25
25
3
Photo by: Shelley M. Szwast
Tigers Complete Two-Sweep Weekend With 3-0 Win Over St. Thomas Aquinas
January 31, 2026 | Men's Volleyball
PRINCETON, N.J. – Going 2-0 on the weekend at home, the Princeton men's volleyball team swept St. Thomas Aquinas, 3-0 (26-24, 25-21, 25-18) on Saturday afternoon in Dillon Gym.
Owen Mellon and Andrew Werner led the Tigers with nine kills apiece. Tristan Whitfield and Ryan Vena also added six each, while also adding two block assists.
Defensively, Mellon and Ethan Wells led in blocks with three assists each. Vena and libero Roan Alviar tallied a squad-high six digs.
In set one, it was the Spartans who got off to a strong start as they went on a 4-0 run early. The Tigers, finding themselves down 11-6, started to climb back with a run of their own with kills by Werner and Nolan Kelly, and a block by Mellon and Whitfield.
Another kill by Wells and an ace by Kelly tied the match at 23-23. After not leading all set, Werner made a kill to put Princeton up 25-24, before an error by the Spartans sealed set one for Princeton, 26-24.
Set two was even to start, with both sides going point-for-point through nine. With Vena, Mellon and Whitfield each contributing kills, Princeton went on a run to lead 11-9 - the largest advantage of the set.
The Spartans tied it again at 14, holding on to a small lead through 19 points when Princeton was again able to climb back and take the lead with a clutch block by Wells and Vena.
Looking to go up 2-0, Princeton raced to match point, with Werner making an ace and Whitfield making two more kills as the Tigers would take the set, 25-21.
With the momentum going their way, the Tigers were able to take the lead early in set three and run away with it, only adding to the advantage as the set continued.
As Mellon added four kills, and Werner and Vena each tallied three of their own, the Tiger offense was on fire. Approaching match point, first-year Bobby Bennett came up with an ace, while classmate Sebastian Daste combined with Mellon for two more clutch kills.
Ending the set 25-18, Princeton took its second three-set victory of the weekend.
Of Note
Princeton will open up EIVA play next Friday, Feb. 6 with a short trip up to Newark to face NJIT. First serve is set for 6 p.m.
Owen Mellon and Andrew Werner led the Tigers with nine kills apiece. Tristan Whitfield and Ryan Vena also added six each, while also adding two block assists.
Defensively, Mellon and Ethan Wells led in blocks with three assists each. Vena and libero Roan Alviar tallied a squad-high six digs.
In set one, it was the Spartans who got off to a strong start as they went on a 4-0 run early. The Tigers, finding themselves down 11-6, started to climb back with a run of their own with kills by Werner and Nolan Kelly, and a block by Mellon and Whitfield.
Another kill by Wells and an ace by Kelly tied the match at 23-23. After not leading all set, Werner made a kill to put Princeton up 25-24, before an error by the Spartans sealed set one for Princeton, 26-24.
Set two was even to start, with both sides going point-for-point through nine. With Vena, Mellon and Whitfield each contributing kills, Princeton went on a run to lead 11-9 - the largest advantage of the set.
The Spartans tied it again at 14, holding on to a small lead through 19 points when Princeton was again able to climb back and take the lead with a clutch block by Wells and Vena.
Looking to go up 2-0, Princeton raced to match point, with Werner making an ace and Whitfield making two more kills as the Tigers would take the set, 25-21.
With the momentum going their way, the Tigers were able to take the lead early in set three and run away with it, only adding to the advantage as the set continued.
As Mellon added four kills, and Werner and Vena each tallied three of their own, the Tiger offense was on fire. Approaching match point, first-year Bobby Bennett came up with an ace, while classmate Sebastian Daste combined with Mellon for two more clutch kills.
Ending the set 25-18, Princeton took its second three-set victory of the weekend.
Of Note
- Nolan Kelly led the Tigers in assists with 20, while Daste tallied nine.
- With six kills on seven swings, Whitfield had a team-high .857 hitting percentage.
- Princeton averaged .350 hitting on the night, making just nine attack errors to the Spartans' 20.
Princeton will open up EIVA play next Friday, Feb. 6 with a short trip up to Newark to face NJIT. First serve is set for 6 p.m.
Team Stats
STA
PU
Kills
41
37
Errors
20
9
Attempts
105
80
Hitting %
.200
.350
Points
50.0
50.0
Assists
35
33
Aces
3
6
Blocks
6
7
Game Leaders
Kills
9
Aces
1
Blocks
3
Kills
9
Aces
1
Blocks
2
Kills
6
Aces
1
Blocks
2
Players Mentioned
LIB
/ Men's Volleyball
PIN/MB
/ Men's Volleyball
SET
/ Men's Volleyball
SET
/ Men's VolleyballPIN
/ Men's Volleyball
MB
/ Men's VolleyballPIN
/ Men's VolleyballMB
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