CUI Out-Digs Princeton In Close Contest
IRVINE, Calif. – Wednesday marked a rare opportunity for the Concordia University Irvine men's volleyball team to showcase its talents against an Ivy League school on its home court.

With the Princeton Tigers in town for an unorthodox early start time, the Golden Eagles concentrated on trying to out-dig their opposition. They consistently stuck to that game plan and were able to execute that strategy effectively. CUI racked up 31 digs to just 20 for Princeton.

However, the Tigers were able to eke out the first two sets and survive a late charge for a 3-1 victory.

Uriel Batista led CUI with a career-high 22 kills.  Seven of those alone came in the second set.

Starting setter Nathan Biteau dished out 33 assists while Johnny Anselmo chipped in with a team-best seven digs. Libero Danny Smithers and Biteau also combined for an additional 11 digs.

One of the most impressive plays of the first set came when the Golden Eagles extended a rally at the net and then Danny Smithers collected a crucial block to ultimately win a point.  Princeton rallied shortly after to sneak out a 25-23 and move ahead 1-0.

The Golden Eagles regrouped quickly in the second stanza. Gil Herold whipped the home crowd into a frenzy with an early rejection at the net. Moments later, Batista sent a veto back over the net to help CUI open up an early 3-0 lead.

Batista went on a serving spree to help CUI climb out of a 24-20 hole and tie it up at 24 apiece. The two squads kept trading points until Princeton escaped for a 2-0 lead by a narrow 28-26 margin.

A smash by Maxwell McCullough pushed CUI to a huge 14-4 lead in the third set.  The Golden Eagles led the entire time and prevailed 25-19 to extend the match.

Unfortunately for the home team and their fans, Princeton was able to emerge 25-17 in the fourth set despite Concordia's best efforts.

The Golden Eagles are in the middle of a four-game stretch in four days. CUI hosts Menlo College Thursday night and No. 7 UC Irvine this Saturday with both matches slated to start at 7 p.m.

In between those two home games, CUI will also play at UC Irvine on Friday evening.

CLICK HERE for the full CUI men's volleyball schedule