PRINCETON, N.J. - After 12 days out of competition, the St. Francis Brooklyn returned to action on Wednesday night as they continued Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association play on the road at Princeton.
Down their kill leader, Andrea Lancianese, and block leader, David Vorfi, the Terriers (8-8, 3-6 EIVA) led late in the third set but ultimately fell to the Tigers (7-12, 6-6 EIVA).
Fielding a new look lineup, St. Francis spent the first set finding its rhythm in competition against a Division I opponent for the first time since Feb. 26. The Terriers' Matt Mongin scored the first kill of the game as they took an early 2-0 lead.
Princeton scored four straight points in response and took the lead. The Tigers held that lead for the remainder of the set, but SFBK gave them a scare late as Princeton attack error and Bartek Zielinski kill put the visitors within three, 17-20. The Tigers took set one 25-19.
Zielinski matched a game high with 4 kills in the first set, and Matt Mongin scored the only ace of the set.
The hosts were able to find their consistent attack in the second set, hitting 40.7% on their way to a 25-13 win.
St. Francis took its first lead since the opening two points of the match in the opening point of the third, when Mongin set up Zielinski for the first kill of the decisive set. Again, Princeton answered with 4 straight points.
The Tigers would be the first to 15 points in the third, but a Ben Harrington service error put St. Francis within one, 15-14. Juan Marin Luna, on the court for the Terriers for the first time since Feb. 4, gave Jack Hershman serve dow, 15-16. Hershman rattled off three consecutive aces to give the Terriers their latest lead of the match, 18-16, and forcing the Princeton timeout. Tigers head coach Sam Shweisky's timeout served useful, as his team rifled off five straight to retake a 21-18 lead.
Princeton maintained its third set advantage, as the Tigers took a 25-22 set win, for the match win.
TEAM LEADERS
Jack Hershman matched the program high for aces in a match with 5. He added 3 kills Wednesday night.
Bartek Zielinski matched the game high with 12 kills, contributing 1 block.
Matt Mongin led the Terriers in a pair of categories, leading the visitors with 17 assists and 8 digs.
NEXT UP: St. Francis continues its road trip with a first visit to George Mason. First serve in Fairfax, V.A. is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.
