Princeton Women’s Volleyball Reaches Ivy League Final
Princeton University, the top seed in the tournament, showcased its dominance in women’s volleyball with a decisive 3-0 victory over fourth-seeded Brown University on Friday evening. The match, held at Dillon Gymnasium, ended with set scores of 25-22, 25-15, and 25-21, propelling the Tigers to the Ivy League Tournament final for the second year in a row.
“The job’s not done. The job’s not finished.”
Hear what Sydney Draper had to say after recording a match-high 45 assists and five digs against the Bears!#NCAAWVB pic.twitter.com/gZTV9CVBuZ
Erin McNair was a standout performer for the Tigers, recording 16 kills and 10 digs, marking her fifth double-double of the season. Valerie Nutakor contributed significantly with 14 kills at an impressive hitting percentage of .419 and added nine digs. Another notable performance came from Lucia Scalamandre, who delivered 10 digs, a .429 hitting percentage, along with two blocks.
2025 Ivy Player of the Year, Sydney Draper, excelled with 45 assists and five digs, while Sydney Bold was relentless on defense with a match-high 17 digs.
Match Analysis
The match began with Brown making an assertive start, seizing an early 3-0 lead and later extending it to 14-10. However, Princeton responded effectively, tying the first set at 19-19. A crucial kill from McNair initiated a run of four consecutive points, pushing the Tigers ahead to secure the set 25-22, thanks to two more kills from McNair.
The tide turned decisively in the second set when an attacking error from Brown allowed Princeton to take control, leading to a 5-0 run and establishing a 9-5 advantage. This momentum continued, culminating in a commanding 25-12 victory for the Tigers, concluding the second set with Nutakor’s kill sealing the set.
The third set remained tightly contested with both teams tied at 14-14 until Princeton’s kills from Scalamandre and Shelby Burriss propelled them ahead at 16-14. With Princeton in control, Scalamandre’s final kill brought the match to a close at 25-21 in the third set, completing the sweep.
Looking Ahead
Next, the Tigers are set to compete in the Ivy League Tournament final on Saturday at 6 p.m., also hosted at Dillon Gymnasium. The winner will secure the Ivy League’s automatic qualification to the NCAA Tournament, elevating the stakes for both teams.
