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Princeton

Princeton Volleyball Split Weekend Matches

The Tigers secured a victory against Columbia before falling to Cornell in conference play.

Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Volleyball

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The Princeton University women's volleyball team split their weekend conference matches, defeating Columbia in three sets before falling to Cornell. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Princeton University claimed a dominant win over Columbia in three straight sets on Friday to extend a long winning streak. However, the team suffered a defeat the following day in a tightly contested three-set match against Cornell.

Why it matters

This split results in a 4-7 overall record for Princeton as they navigate a challenging stretch of the conference schedule. The weekend outcomes highlight the competitive parity within the league as Cornell maintains its undefeated conference status.

Princeton recorded 37 kills and 10 aces during the victory against Columbia. In the loss to Cornell, the set scores were 25-22, 25-23, and 27-25.

The players

Princeton University

This is a private Ivy League research university located in Princeton, New Jersey.

Columbia University

This is a private Ivy League research university based in New York City.

Cornell University

This is a private Ivy League research university located in Ithaca, New York.

Shelby Burriss

She is a member of the Princeton University volleyball team who recorded 10 kills in a single match.

Erin McNair

She is a member of the Princeton University volleyball team who recorded nine kills against Columbia.

The details

Princeton swept Columbia with dominant scores of 25-13 in the first two sets and 25-20 in the third, bolstered by a strong serving performance. Shelby Burriss led the effort against Columbia with 10 kills, while Erin McNair added nine in the victory.

Timeline

  1. Princeton defeated Columbia on October 2, 2026.

  2. Cornell defeated Princeton on October 3, 2026.

  3. Princeton hosts Yale on October 9, 2026, at 6 p.m.

  4. Princeton hosts Brown on October 10, 2026, at 5 p.m.

Season Trajectory

Princeton's victory streak against Columbia since 2017 remains a dominant trend, though the loss to Cornell disrupts their momentum in conference standings. This weekend establishes a critical pivot point for the team as they look toward upcoming matches against Yale and Brown.

Princeton maintains a 4-7 overall record following the weekend split. The team must look to improve their offensive consistency to shift their standing in the conference rankings before the upcoming Friday matchup.

The takeaway

The Tigers demonstrate clear dominance against long-term rivals but face stiff competition from conference leaders like Cornell. Consistency in serving and kill execution will be the primary metrics for the team to monitor in their upcoming home stand.

What happens next

Princeton will face Yale on October 9, 2026, at 6 p.m. followed by a match against Brown on October 10, 2026, at 5 p.m.

Further reading

For more on local athletics, check out our Volleyball section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by The Princetonian.

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