Courtesy: Beverly SchaeferAfter succumbing its 2-0 lead, the Princeton men's volleyball team rallied back with a five set, 3-2, victory over NYU Friday evening. The Violets evened the game with third and fourth set victories, forcing the Tigers to play in their sixth five-set match of the year. In the fifth set, Princeton (8-9, 6-7 EIVA) responded with a 15-11 win to snap a two-game skid.
Cody Kessel led Princeton with 14 kills, as the freshman finished with four digs and two blocks. Will Siroky had a .636 hitting percentage and five blocks for team-highs, while Davis Waddell made a team-best nine digs.
In the first set, NYU unsuccessfully played catch up, despite evening the score twice. With the score notched, 5-5, consecutive points by Matthew MacDonald and Kessel opened the set for the Tigers, as they went on to win 25-18. Princeton remained in control in the second set, as the Tigers again jumped out early. NYU would come as close as one-point, 18-17, but Princeton rallied back with two straight points to remain in control and win 25-21.
NYU forced the Tigers to play on their heels in the third set. Despite catching up and taking the lead 5-4, the Violets countered with a 7-0 run en route to their 25-20 win. The fourth set saw the score tied seven times, but NYU broke away late with five consecutive points to win 25-17.
The fifth set was 1-1, before the Tigers took control for good. Princeton created a point cushion, 4-2, off an NYU service error and it was the momentum swing the Tigers needed to propel past the Violets for a 15-11 victory to conclude the match.
The Tigers host Vassar tomorrow, Saturday, April 7 at 2 p.m.
