Springfield, Ohio – The Wittenberg men's volleyball team wrapped up the Jim Coleman Classic with two matches on Saturday afternoon, taking on the Muskies of Lakeland College followed by a matchup with the Eagles of Cincinnati Christian University. The Tigers split the day, taking the first match from the Lakeland Muskies in four sets [25-20, 25-17, 22-25, 25-16]. This was the first win for Wittenberg on the 2018 season and the first for head coach Ryan Thompson. Wittenberg returned to action, taking on the Eagles of Cincinnati Christian University. The Tigers went into four sets for the fifth time in five matches, falling 3-1 [25-22, 22-25, 25-21, 25-17]. Freshman Gabriel Lamar was named All-Tournament Team for the Tigers. Flipping a switch on day two, collecting 16 of his 18 total kills through the weekend. Wittenberg finished with a .157 attacking percentage through 16 sets in four matches on the weekend.
MATCH ONE vs. Lakeland
Wittenberg collected a .212 attacking percentage in their win over Lakeland, converting 113 attacks for 46 kills on the match. The Tigers came out firing as Isaiah Brock collected four kills on five attacks in the first set against the Muskies. The middle hitter finished with eight kills on fourteen total attacks. Ashton Sellers logged his first double-double of the season with 13 kills and 12 digs. After a quiet two kill first set, Sellers quickly added nine kills on 18 attacks across the second and third sets. Lamar added 10 kills on 15 attack attempts for a .533 attack percentage through the first match. Wittenberg came out swinging with 10 kills in 26 total attack attempts. Collecting five blocks in the match, the Wittenberg frontline defense was led by Lamar with a block and an assist and Ross Russell with two solo blocks. Russell added 34 assists through the match.
MATCH TWO vs. Cincinnati Christian
Wittenberg would be led by Brock, Sellers, and Deion Woodson in their final match against the Eagles of Cincinnati Christian University. The Tigers finished each had double-digit in kill marks in their final contest. Brock and Woodson each would collect 12 kills apiece. Brock would execute a .526 attacking percentage on the match, committing just two errors on 19 attack attempts. Sellers would be the third Tiger to finish with double-digit kills at 11, adding five block assists.
UP NEXT: Wittenberg will return to action on Friday, January 26 when they take on St. John Fisher at 8:00 PM from Hiram College.
Congrats to @wittmvb on their first win of the year over Lakeland (3-1) and to Coach Thompson for earning his first victory as head coach of the Tigers #TigerUp @AVCAVolleyball pic.twitter.com/YxTXm7iYaq
— Wittenberg Athletics (@WittAthletics) January 20, 2018