Tigers Drop Hard-Fought, Five-Set Contest to #15 Penn State

Friday, February 13

Princeton, N.J.

7:00 PM

Princeton University

2-5,0-2EIVA

Penn State

7-4,1-0EIVA

Penn St.

Princeton

Photo by: Shelley M. Szwast

Tigers Drop Hard-Fought, Five-Set Contest to #15 Penn State

February 14, 2026 | Men's Volleyball

Box Score

PRINCETON, N.J. – The Princeton men's volleyball team dropped a hard-fought, five-set contest against #15 Penn State at home in Dillon Gym on Friday night. After finding themselves down two sets, the Tigers battled back to take the next two and force a fifth, where they ultimately fell to the Nittany Lions 3-2 (19-25, 22-25, 25-23, 25-22, 11-15).

The Tigers were led by Owen Mellon with 16 kills on the night, while Andrew Werner added 14 of his own.

Ambrose Engling had a breakout performance, registering 13 kills and four blocks after joining the game in set three.

A key playmaker, Nolan Kelly led the Tigers in both assists (43) and digs (13) on the night.

Penn State pulled away early in set one after the Tigers tied it at 5-5. Princeton would not find the lead again, coming closest when a kill by Mellon and two PSU errors brought the Tigers within two. The Nittany Lions went on to take the set 25-19.

Set two was closer, as the Tigers tied it at six before trailing again but climbing back to tie it at 15. Down 20-17, the Tigers went on a 4-1 run with three back-to-back kills by Werner. Tying it 21-21, it looked like the Tigers might take it, but Penn State took the set 25-22 and took a 2-0 lead.

The Tiger offense exploded in set three, taking a 7-5 lead with an ace from Ethan Wells. Heating up, Engling added three kills, bringing the score to 11-8 Tigers. By 18-13, the Tigers had extended their lead to five as they started to close in on match point.

Penn State lessened the deficit, but the Tigers, who combined for 16 kills in the set with eight from Engling, outlasted them to take the set 25-23.

Building off that momentum, Princeton got to work early in the fourth set, taking a 4-1 lead. Penn State was able to climb back and tie it at 9-9, but they would not take the lead as Princeton again stayed a few points ahead. As the Nittany Lions clawed their way to ties again at 15 and 16, the Tigers fought back and kept the lead through the entirety of the set, taking it 25-22.

After forcing the game into set five, Princeton found itself down as Penn State pulled away to lead by as much as seven points with match point on the line. The Tigers answered with a 4-0 run to keep hopes alive, but they fell short and Penn State took the set 15-11.

In the end, the Tigers came just four points shy of a huge comeback victory over a ranked Penn State team. Still, the Tigers showed resilience that will be useful as they look to rematch with the Nittany Lions tomorrow and further down the line in EIVA play.

Up Next
The Tigers will take on Penn State again tomorrow with another matchup in Dillon Gym. First serve is set for 4 p.m.