Tigers Clinch Spot in EIVA Tournament, Sweep Harvard 3-0

Saturday, April 18

Cambridge, Mass.

4:00 PM

Princeton University

7-14,3-9EIVA

Harvard

6-18,3-9EIVA

Team	1	2	3	Final F
Princeton	25	25	25	3
Harvard	21	23	19	0

Photo by: Shelley M. Szwast

Tigers Clinch Spot in EIVA Tournament, Sweep Harvard 3-0

April 18, 2026 | Men's Volleyball

Box Score

CAMBRIDGE, MASS. – Punching its ticket to the EIVA Tournament, the Princeton men's volleyball team completed a road sweep over Harvard on Saturday in Cambridge, 3-0 (25-21, 25-23, 25-19).

Ryan Vena and Owen Mellon hit in double figures with 11 and 10 kills, respectively, to lead the squad. With just one error on 22 swings, Vena hit .455 on the night.

Making a team-high four block assists, Tristan Whitfield also added seven kills while hitting .600.

Nolan Kelly dished out 29 assists in the match.

How It Happened
The Tigers set the tone with an early 4-0 run with Vena and Ethan Wells each contributing kills, before they were able to extend the lead to six at 12-6. Continuing to dominate as Vena added two more kills and Andrew Werner and Whitfield making two apiece, the Tigers took a seven-point advantage at 19-11. Harvard was able to climb back and narrow the deficit slightly, but the Tigers would take the go-ahead, 25-21.

Princeton trailed for most of the second set, down by as much as five points as mid-set. Climbing back, kills from Vena and Whitfield narrowed the gap, before an ace by Nolan Kelly knotted it at 20. With Mellon making a kill, the Tigers took the lead at 21-20. Harvard was able to tie it at 22 and 23, but Princeton would go up 2-0 with a set score of 25-23.

Set three was close to start as Harvard and Princeton traded points through five. Pulling away, Princeton took the lead with Mellon and Vena each tallying kills. The Crimson were able to get within one three times through mid-set, but the Tigers would continue to maintain the lead. With a 5-1 run late to put the match out of reach, Princeton would take the set 25-19 and win the match.

Up Next
In sweeping Harvard, the Tigers secured the last spot in the EIVA Tournament, set to take place next Wednesday through Saturday with the No. 1 seed Penn State hosting. Seeding and quarterfinal opponent details to follow.