PRINCETON, NJ – NJIT men's volleyball fell to EIVA opponent Princeton in a close 3-2 decision hosted by the Tigers on Friday night.

The Highlanders (3-12, 1-5 EIVA), were led by Alvaro Gimeno who notched 14 kills a match-high five service aces, eight digs and two blocks while Piotr Namiotko added 15 kills.

Tyler Brandow posted a career-high 10 kills, while Shannon Heckman grabbed 13 digs and Ricardo Whitaker piled up 39 assists.

For Princeton (5-11, 4-4 EIVA) George Huhmann led all hitters with 24 kills and four blocks. Greg Luck posted a double-double with 17 assists and 10 digs and Parker Dixon tallied 16 kills and seven blocks.

The first set went in favor of the Highlanders 25-19, who had a 21-18 lead at the end of the set and scored four consecutive points to secure the win with kills from Namiotko, Brandow and Gimeno.

In the second set, after the score was all tied up at 5-5, Princeton went on a five point rally taking a 10-5 lead that they wouldn't relinquish as the Tigers held onto a 25-16 win.

In the closest set, the third frame, the Highlanders won 27-25 after a kill by middle Luca Berger and an attack error on the Tigers. The set saw five lead changes and 16 ties.

Princeton tied up the match at 2-2 in the fourth set, taking an early 2-0 lead, and never trailed the rest of the way for a 25-21 victory.

In the fifth and deciding set, Princeton held on for a 15-11 victory scoring the final four points of the match after an 11-11 tie.

The two teams will return to action on Saturday at 7pm when the Tigers visit the Highlanders in Newark.