LA JOLLA, Calif. — The UC San Diego men’s volleyball team suffered a hard-fought five-set loss to Princeton on Monday evening at LionTree Arena, falling 25-19, 26-24, 10-25, 19-25, 15-10. Despite a season-high 14 service aces, the Tritons (10-7, 1-1 Big West) were unable to overcome a resilient Princeton squad (4-7, 0-3 EIVA), nearly completing a reverse sweep before ultimately succumbing to the Tigers.
The match showcased a significant offensive disparity, with UC San Diego hitting .280 compared to Princeton’s .231. However, a dominant third set for the Tritons, where they recorded a .500 hitting percentage although holding Princeton to just .067, wasn’t enough to secure the victory. This contest highlighted the competitive nature of men’s collegiate volleyball and the importance of consistent performance across all sets.
Tritons Fall Short After Strong Comeback
Princeton established an early lead in the first set, capitalizing on a 6-0 run to close it out 25-19. The second set proved to be a back-and-forth affair, featuring 10 ties and three lead changes. UC San Diego fought to a 22-20 advantage after an ace from outside hitter Sebastiano Sani, but Princeton responded with four consecutive points to earn set point. Although the Tritons saved one rally point with a solo block from middle blocker Jim Garrison, two subsequent errors handed the set to the Tigers, 26-24.
The momentum dramatically shifted in the third set, as UC San Diego unleashed a dominant performance. Setter John Luers ignited the Tritons’ offense with a kill and two aces, contributing to an early 6-2 lead that expanded to 12-4. The Tritons continued their onslaught, closing the set with a 10-2 run, including winning the final six points, two more aces from Luers, and a decisive 25-10 victory.
Carrying the momentum into the fourth set, UC San Diego continued to pressure Princeton, holding them to a .074 hitting percentage. Despite Princeton building a 16-14 lead, the Tritons rallied with an 11-3 run, fueled by kills from Sani and Garrison, and an ace from Josh Ewert, to secure a 25-19 set win and force a fifth and final set.
Princeton Closes Out the Match in Fifth Set
The fifth set began promisingly for the Tritons, with kills from Ewert and Sani, followed by another ace from Luers, giving them a 5-2 lead. However, Princeton quickly responded with three straight points and maintained their momentum throughout the remainder of the set. The Tigers ultimately prevailed 15-10, securing the match victory after winning five of the final six points, capitalizing on kills and an ace.
John Luers had a standout performance for UC San Diego, achieving a career-high five aces and contributing 46 assists. Sebastiano Sani led the Tritons in kills with 18, while Luke Chandler added 12 on the right side. Garrison was also a key contributor, recording eight kills on 10 swings and six blocks (one solo). The Tritons’ 14 aces tied for sixth-most in the NCAA this season and marked their highest total since January 31, 2024, according to UCSDtritons.com.
Looking Ahead for the Tritons
Head coach Brad Rostratter emphasized the need for continued improvement, stating, “There are several areas we need to continue to function on and improve moving forward. We need more offensive consistency and need to find different ways to score the ball. There were some good things that happened tonight, including some guys coming off the bench and making a great impact on the match, but we don’t have time to burn sets like we did tonight as we move forward into more Big West play.”
With the nonconference schedule now complete, UC San Diego will focus exclusively on Big West competition. The Tritons will travel to No. 17 CSUN this Friday, March 13, for a 6:00 p.m. Match. This upcoming contest will be a crucial test for the Tritons as they navigate the challenges of conference play and strive for consistent success.
What are your thoughts on the Tritons’ performance? Share your insights and predictions in the comments below!
