Men's Volleyball
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Email:
- shweisky@princeton.edu
| Fast Facts On Princeton Head Coach Sam Shweisky |
| • led Princeton to the EIVA title in 2019, 2022, 2025* |
| • led Princeton to the 2010, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2025 EIVA championship finals |
| • named EIVA Head Coach of the Year in 2010, 2019, 2025 |
| • guided the Tigers to their highest ranking in school history of No. 10 in 2020 |
| • coached Princeton to its first win over UCLA (More info here) |
| • coached Princeton to a win over #2 nationally ranked Penn State in the 2022 EIVA Tournament |
| • coached All-Americans: Cody Kessel ‘15, George Huhmann ‘20, Parker Dixon ‘22, Henry Wedbush ‘25, Nyherowo Omene ‘25 |
| • mentored George Huhmann '20 & Henry Wedbush ‘25 to EIVA Player of the Year |
| • 2023 Team leader USA Boys U19 Team 4th place finish at FIVB World Championships - Argentina |
| • 2022 Team leader USA Boys U19 Team 1st place finish at the Pan American Cup - Guatemala |
| • 2019 Assistant coach of the USA Men's Senior Team at NORCECA Championships - Canada |
| • 2018 Assistant coach USA U21 team NORCECA Championships - Cuba |
| • 2016-17 Head coach USA Youth National Team; qualified team to 2017 World Championships - Bahrain |
| • 2014-15 Assistant coach USA Junior National Team |
Contact Coach Shweisky at 609-258-9016 or shweisky@princeton.edu
Sam Shweisky enters his 17th year as Head Coach at Princeton, after a successful 2025 season that saw Princeton win the EIVA regular season championship and earn hosting rights to the EIVA tournament, which saw the Tigers make their third EIVA Championship match in four years. The Tigers boasted the 2025 EIVA Player of the Year in Henry Wedbush, while also having three Tigers selected to the First Team All-EIVA. Wedbush and fellow senior Nyherowo Omene were named 2025 AVCA All-American Honorable Mentions. For his leadership, Shweisky was named the 2025 EIVA Coach of the Year.
Shweisky led Princeton to the 2024 EIVA quarterfinals, after leading the Tigers to their fourth consecutive EIVA Finals in 2023. Princeton finished EIVA runners up and junior, Ben Harrington was named to the EIVA All-Tournament Team. Princeton recorded 14 wins with a 6-2 record at home in addition to three wins over ranked opponents for the season. Princeton was also named the NCAA Division I Statistical Champions in Aces Per Set for 2023 with an average of 2.08/set. In addition to this national accolade, First Team All-EIVA selection, Ben Harrington finished the season individually ranked No. 3 in the nation in aces per set (.684) while Second Team All-EIVA selection Henry Wedbush was ranked No. 22 nationally in assists per set (9.42).
In 2022, Shweisky led the Tigers to their second-straight EIVA title and NCAA Tournament appearance. The Tigers reeled off 10-straight wins, the second-longest winning streak in school history, and knocked off second-ranked and No. 1 seed Penn State in a five-set thrilled inside Rec Hall in the semifinals, before taking down NJIT in the Championship match. Under Shweisky's guidance, Ben Harrington ‘25 was named EIVA Tournament Most Outstanding Player.
In 2020, Shweisky led the Tigers to their highest-ever ranking of No. 10 in the AVCA preseason poll when Princeton earned its first win school history over UCLA.
In 2019, Shweisky helped the Tigers earn their first EIVA title since 1998. Princeton posted an 18-13 record and went a spectacular 13-1 in conference play. The Tigers finished the season ranked No. 12 in the nation and picked up a pair of ranked wins over George Mason. After overcoming Penn State to win the EIVA Championship inside Dillon Gym, the Tigers went on to earn their first NCAA Tournament win in program history when they overcame Barton College in Wilson, North Carolina. Princeton would then push third-ranked Pepperdine to its limit in the NCAA quarterfinals, taking the Waves to five set but coming up narrowly short. Shweisky was named EIVA Head Coach of the Year in 2019 for the second time (also in 2010).
Shweisky has coached 46 All-EIVA players as well as five EIVA Newcomers of the Year, including George Huhmann '20 who was also honored as the Uvaldo Acosta Memorial EIVA Player of the Year in 2019, becoming the first player in program history to win the prestigious award. Henry Wedbush ’25 becomes the second player in program history to win the award in 2025. Shweisky has led Princeton to seven EIVA championship matches, 12 EIVA playoff berths and three championships.
Princeton's run in 2018 was one of the most impressive stories of the collegiate volleyball season. That run included the first season sweep of Penn State in Princeton history, as well as the team's first-ever road win over the Nittany Lions. Princeton stunned top-seeded George Mason in the opening match of the EIVA playoffs, and fell in a tightly contested four-set final.
In the summer of 2023, Shweisky led the USA Boy's U19 Team to a historic 4th place finish at the FIVB World Championships in San Juan, Argentina. The previous summer, Shweisky served again as the head of delegations for the USA U19 team that won a gold medal in Guatemala. In 2019, Shweisky served as an assistant coach with the USA Volleyball Men’s Senior National Team for the NORCECA Championships, helping the team earn a silver medal. In 2018, Shweisky served as an assistant coach with the U21 team that traveled to Cuba. In 2016 and 2017, he was the head coach of the U.S. Youth National Team, which qualified for the 2017 U-19 World Championships in Bahrain following a 17-15 over Mexico. Shweisky also helped the U.S. Men's Junior National Team win a silver medal at the 2015 Junior Pan-Am Championships, as well as a bronze at the 2014 NORCECA U-21 Men's Continental Championships in San Salvador, El Salvador.
"Being a part of USA volleyball has been an amazing privilege I have enjoyed coaching at the youth and development level over the past 20 years,” Shweisky said. “To be asked to travel and represent USA Volleyball abroad has been such an honor, it is difficult to put into words."
Shweisky came to Princeton from the University of Central Florida, where he spent one season as the women’s volleyball assistant. That Knight squad won 15 games and had its best season since 2003.
Prior to his season at UCF, Shweisky was an assistant with UNLV for two seasons. During his time in Las Vegas, the Rebels enjoyed their most successful season in program history in 2007, winning the Mountain West Conference Championship.
Prior to and during his coaching, Shweisky played for Miami's men's club team (2004-06) and for Vassar College (1998-01). He has played internationally, as well, with The Hajraa Volleyball Club in Holland (2002-03) and for USA in the Maccabiah Games in 2001 & 2005 (Israel) and 2008 (Argentina).
Shweisky was a four-year letter winner at Vassar College, where he helped his team to the Division III National Championship as a senior. He finished his collegiate career ranked fourth in single-season digs at Vassar, fifth in single-season digs per game and seventh in all-time digs.
A native of New York City, Shweisky earned his bachelor's degree in Hispanic studies from Vassar in 2001. At Miami, he gained a master's of science degree in sports psychology in 2006.
A member of the American Volleyball Coaches Association since 2003, Shweisky has achieved a CAP Level III accreditation through the USA Volleyball Coaching Accreditation Program and serves as a Cadre member.
SHWEISKY'S CAREER TOTALS
| Year | Overall | Pct. | EIVA | Pct. | EIVA Finish | All-EIVA Selections |
| 2010 | 15-10 | .600 | 5-5 | .500 | EIVA Finals | 3 - Rookie of the Year (Schwagler) Coach of the Year (Shweisky) McCown, Liljestrom, Schwagler |
| 2011 | 3-19 | .143 | 1-9 | .100 | Sixth | N/A |
| 2012 | 13-10 | .565 | 7-7 | .500 | EIVA Semifinals | 3 - Rookie of the Year (Kessel) Kessel, Dye, Liljestrom |
| 2013 | 13-10 | .565 | 9-5 | .643 | EIVA Semifinals | 3 - Kessel, Schwagler, Dye |
| 2014 | 16-10 | .615 | 10-4 | .714 | EIVA Finals | 4 - (1 All-America - Kessel) Kessel, Ensbury, Schwagler, Sterns |
| 2015 | 11-13 | .458 | 6-6 | .500 | EIVA Semifinals | 4 - (1 All-America - Kessel) Kessel, Kennedy, Siroky |
| 2016 | 4-18 | .182 | 4-10 | .357 | Sixth | 1 - Stearns |
| 2017 | 12-14 | .462 | 8-6 | .571 | EIVA Semifinals | 3 - Rookie of the Year (Huhmann) Huhmann, Dixon, Oboh |
| 2018 | 12-16 | .429 | 7-7 | .500 | EIVA Finals | 2 - (1 All-America HM - Huhmann) Huhmann, Oboh |
| 2019 | 18-13 | .581 | 13-1 | .929 | EIVA Champions | 5 - (2 All-America - Huhmann, Dixon) Player of the Year (Huhmann) Coach of the Year (Shweisky) Huhmann, Dixon, Luck, Ratter, Kelly |
| 2020 | 9-6 | .600 | 7-2 | .778 | N/A | 5 - Huhmann, Dixon, Kelly, Nelson, Luck |
| 2022 | 15-13 | .536 | 10-6 | .625 | EIVA Champions | 2 - Rookie of the Year (Harrington) |
| 2023 | 14-12 | .538 | 7-3 | .700 | EIVA Finals | 5 – Harrington, Wedbush, Posivak, Omene, Vena |
| 2024 | 12-12 | .500 | 5-5 | .500 | EIVA Quarterfinals | 4 - Rookie of the Year (Whitfield) Harrington, Omene, Wedbush |
| 2025 | 15-11 | .577 | 10-2 | .833 | EIVA Regular Season Champions, EIVA Finals | 5 - (2 All-America - Wedbush, Omene) EIVA Player of the Year (Wedbush) Coach of the Year (Shweisky) Wedbush, Omene, Vena, Rice, Alviar |
| Totals | 182-187 | .493 | 102-75 | .576 | 7 Finals, 11 Semis | 46 All-EIVA Selections |
PLAYER TESTIMONIALS
“Not only will I make your son a better player, I'll make him a better man. If you have been on a recruiting visit, you have no doubt heard this type of refrain from coaches looking to assuage the anxieties of parents obsessed with entrusting the well-being of their son to the best possible person. Though I have obviously only played for one program, my conversations with friends who played elsewhere confirmed my suspicion about that pledge— that in most cases, it amounts to nothing more than an empty campaign promise, tossed aside the moment you walk on campus. With Coach Shweisky, it is the exact opposite. In his program, on-court performance is downstream from off-the-court integrity and industriousness, and results are downstream from process. Every success we had during my time at Princeton — playoff berths, wins over top-10 teams, league championship appearances — was reflective of his holistic approach. I can think of few relationships that have had a bigger, more positive impact on my life than my relationship with Coach Shweisky, and I am a better person for having played under him.”
- Davis Waddell ‘14
“Coach Shweisky’s ability to engage athletes in critical thinking about success is unparalleled. The constant discourse I’ve had with Coach since I stepped foot on Princeton’s campus has shaped my perspective on improving and winning. Many of my accomplishments on and off the court are directly attributable to his teachings. His relentless encouragement to control the controllable and avoid outcome-focused thinking allowed me to grow rapidly as a volleyball player and as a person. The results are undeniable. On the court, he led Princeton to four consecutive conference tournament appearances (’12-’15) for the first time in Princeton’s history, guided Princeton to five wins over ranked opponents from 2013-15 (three in the prior 14 years) and recruited the first nationally ranked freshman class in Princeton’s history (’17). Off the court, I apply the leadership skills I learned from Coach daily, and his passion reignited the Princeton Volleyball alumni community. The lessons I’ve learned from Shweisky will stay with me forever.”
- Will Siroky ’15 (All-EIVA)
“Coach Shweisky was instrumental not only in my development as a volleyball player, but as a man. His passion and dedication to the sport only helped bring out my own love of the game more. His energy, drive, and sheer willpower is the biggest reason Princeton Volleyball, as an entire program, is where it is now. During his tenure, every aspect of PrincetonVolley has improved by leaps and bounds, and it continues to be upgraded to this day. Upsetting our rival Penn State in front of a packed Dillon Gym with the University President at the pregame speech and cheering in the crowd is just one example of the special experiences Coach made happen during my four years as a Tiger. It also shows how much positive change he is responsible for. Princeton changed my life forever in the best way and Coach Shweisky was an integral part of that experience. Besides all the on-court progress, thanks to Coach Shweisky I am undoubtedly a more confident person, a better communicator, have better and deeper relationships with those around me, and continue to maintain an unwavering sense of gratitude for all the opportunities that come my way. My four years under Coach Shweisky and as a Tiger were simply sublime. Thank you, Coach!!”
- Cody Kessel ’15 (All-EIVA & All-America)
“When we were deciding on our wedding day officiant, we not only wanted to ask someone who’d been in our lives throughout our relationship, but also someone we knew would perpetually be an important part of our lives. For most couples looking for an officiant for a non-religious ceremony, that person tends to be a sibling, a close relative or a lifelong best friend. For us, that person was the inimitable Sam Shweisky. We (Mike and Nicole) met at Princeton, but our collegiate careers were short in the context of our decade plus relationship as a couple. Yet in those 4 short years, we both became better players, and more importantly better people, because of Shweisky. That’s not unique to us, as Sam has that impact on all of his players during their formative college years. He ensures the relationship does not end when you step off the court your senior year. Across classes, coasts, and whether or not he coached you while at Princeton, he always makes you feel like you are part of one, big Princeton Volleyball family. As our officiant, we knew Shweisky would do an incredible job, because he is family. He pours his heart, soul and time into everything he does, particularly when it comes to his players – future, current and former. To put it simply, Sam led an unforgettable wedding ceremony. He spent countless hours working on what he would say and how he would deliver it, making sure that it was something that would make our day exactly how we envisioned it. His ceremony was funny, genuine and heartfelt – everything that embodies who he is as a person. In a day filled with the best memories of our lives, Shweisky’s ceremony shined through. So much so, that many in attendance were shocked to learn it was the first wedding he’s ever officiated. We are forever grateful to him for making our day, and for being our lifelong friend and family.”
- Michael Dye ‘13 & Nicole Kincade ‘15 (Married October 23, 2021)
Princeton Volleyball Weddings
Over his tenure coaching at Princeton, Shweisky has had the honor of attending eight Princeton Volleyball weddings.
| MVB | WVB |
| Keenan McCarthy '11 | Cathryn Quinn '12 |
| Mike Dye '13 | Nicole Kincade '15 |
| Brad Howard '14 | |
| Davis Waddell '14 | |
| Jeff Stapleton '14 | |
| Devin Stearns '16 | Mary Claire Bartlett '18 |
| Jonah May '17 | |
| Junior Oboh '18 |
