Princeton Men’s Volleyball Faces Tough California Matchups

Upcoming Matches: Princeton vs #11 UCSD and #17 CSUN

The Princeton Tigers men’s volleyball team gears up for an exciting week as they travel to California for back-to-back challenges. They will face off against the #11 ranked UC San Diego (UCSD) on Monday, March 9, followed by a clash against the #17 California State University, Northridge (CSUN) on Wednesday, March 11.

Match Schedule

• Princeton vs #11 UCSD

  • Date: Monday, March 9
  • Time: 7:00 p.m. PST / 10:00 p.m. EST
  • Location: La Jolla, California
  • Live Stats | Watch on ESPN+

• Princeton vs #17 CSUN

  • Date: Wednesday, March 11
  • Time: 7:00 p.m. PST / 10:00 p.m. EST
  • Location: San Diego, California
  • Live Stats | Watch on ESPN+

Overview of the Princeton Tigers

The Tigers enter this pivotal week following a thrilling 3-2 victory over Dominican last Saturday at their home court in Dillon Gym. Here are key highlights about Princeton:

• Key Performers:
  Owen Mellon and Andrew Werner both achieved career highs in kills, recording 25 and 18 respectively. Mellon’s performance marks his second career-high this season, having previously made 20 kills against the #5 ranked USC in January. He currently averages 3.60 kills per set, placing him third in the EIVA.

• Defensive Standouts:
  Nolan Kelly has emerged as a crucial player for the Tigers, averaging 2.11 digs per set, ranking third in the EIVA. Additionally, he contributes significantly with 7.80 assists per set. On defense, Tristan Whitfield leads with an average of 1.00 blocks per set, placing him fourth in the conference.

• Season Insights:
  Princeton was ranked fourth in the EIVA preseason poll, with standout players Mason Rice and Ryan Vena highlighted as key contributors this season. The Tigers began the preseason with successful exhibition matches in Canada, securing wins against McMaster and TMU.

• Last Season Recap:
  In the previous season, Princeton clinched the EIVA regular-season championship but fell to Penn State in the EIVA tournament finals. The team is currently coached by Sam Shweisky, now in his 17th year, alongside assistant coach Joe Norton.

Highlights of UCSD

The Tritons, holding a 10-6 record, recently faced a setback, losing 2-3 to #12 UC Santa Barbara. Here’s what to know about UCSD:

• Top Performers:
  Sebastiano Sani leads the Tritons with an average of 3.52 kills per set, while Ben Warren boasts a team-best 1.33 blocks per set.

• Historical Context:
  Historically, Princeton has struggled against UCSD, with a record of 4-15 in their matchups.

Insights on CSUN

California State University, Northridge (CSUN) enters the week with a 10-5 record. Here’s a brief overview:

• Recent Performance:
  CSUN recently endured a 3-0 loss to UCSD on March 3.

• Key Players:
  Jalen Phillips leads the Matadors with an impressive average of 3.83 kills per set, while Joao Favarim leads with 0.81 blocks per set.

• Series Record:
  In their history against CSUN, the Tigers hold a record of 3-4.

Conclusion

With two challenging matches on the horizon, the Princeton Tigers are poised for critical battles against top 20 teams. Fans can follow along with live stats and watch the games via ESPN+ to support the Tigers in their pursuit of victory in California.

Stay tuned for updates as Princeton aims to make a significant impact in their upcoming contests!