Tigers Fall to NJIT, 3-1, in EIVA Opener

Friday, February 6

Newark, N.J.

6:00 PM

Princeton University

2-4,0-1EIVA

NJIT

6-5,1-0EIVA

Princeton

NJIT

Photo by: Shelley M. Szwast

February 06, 2026 | Men's Volleyball

Box Score

NEWARK, N.J. – Beginning EIVA play against in-state rival NJIT, the #19 Princeton men's volleyball team dropped a hard fought, close 3-1 match (26-24, 25-27, 21-25, 23-25) on Friday night in Newark.

Owen Mellon and Andrew Werner led the Tigers with 11 kills apiece, with Mellon adding three blocks and Werner adding an ace.

Ryan Vena led the Tigers defensively, tallying four blocks and 10 digs for team-highs.

The Tigers were able to take set one, pulling away with an early 3-0 run with two blocks by Whitfield and Nolan Kelly before tacking on another 4-0 run, leading 10-6 as Mellon made two kills.

Still a close battle, NJIT was able to tie it up at 15 and again at 18, thwarting Princeton's advantages as the two sides neared match point. With the set knotted at 24, another kill by Mellon and an ace by Kelly sealed it as Princeton took the lead with a 26-24 set score.

Set two was just as close, but this time the Highlanders held onto the advantage for most of the set. As the Tigers found themselves down 17-13, they were able to get within one as they scored three unanswered points with Mellon and Werner each making a contribution.

With a huge block by Vena and Ethan Wells tying it at 23-23, Princeton evened the set and even took the lead with an NJIT service error, but the Highlanders tied it again and made a 3-0 run to take the set, 27-25.

Set three saw NJIT make an early 4-0 run to take the lead, and despite a late advance from the Tigers, the Highlanders won the set 25-21.

Looking to tie the game and force a fifth set, Princeton looked strong as they raced to an 8-4 lead with solid blocks by Vena, Kelly and Mellon and kills by Mellon and Whitfield.

Still, NJIT was able to close the deficit and force the set to be razor-thin going to match point. With the game tied 22-22, the Highlanders came up with three in a row to end it, 25-23.

Up Next
The Tigers will return home to continue EIVA play and host Penn State for a two-game series on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 13 & 14.