The Wittenberg University women's basketball team is also expected to assume its customary position at or near the top of the NCAC in 2000-2001. The Tigers were chosen second by the media and third by the coaches during the media day festivities on Wednesday. Perennial power Ohio Wesleyan was projected to top the conference in both polls, while Denison was tabbed to finish second in the coaches poll.
The Tigers have responded with a terrific start to what was thought to be a rebuilding season. It started last weekend as Wittenberg defeated Greensboro College and Western Maryland at the Greensboro College Tip-Off Women's Basketball Tournament. Sophomore guard Stephanie Campbell (South Charleston, Ohio/Southeastern) topped the Tigers in scoring in both games and earned all-tournament team recognition, while freshman forward Geri Woessner (Dayton, Ohio/Oakwood) snagged 21 rebounds in the two games to walk away with tournament MVP honors.
That was just the beginning, however. The Tigers returned home early in the morning on Monday and began preparing for nationally ranked Capital as their home opener foe on Tuesday. When the game began, the Tigers fell behind by double digits late in the first half and struggled just to remain within striking distance of the Crusaders, who feature Player of the Year candidate Kendra Meyer and a tall, experienced line-up.
In the second half, the tables suddenly turned. Sophomore Kate Rolf (Ft. Wayne, Ind./Carroll) poured in 20 points in the game, including 12 in the second half, and sophomore Rebecca Meers (Moline, Ill./Moline) tallied 12 points all in the second half to close the gap. Then Campbell stunned the Crusaders with a running three-pointer with 2.3 seconds remaining in the game. After Capital was called for five seconds attempting to in-bound the ball, Wittenberg came out of a timeout to execute a play perfectly. Woessner dropped a short jumper through the net as time expired to give the Tigers the 76-75 upset win.
Wittenberg now has a week to savor the win and prepare for another tough non-conference contest. The Tigers travel to Baldwin-Wallace, a preseason No. 1 in one national poll, on Nov. 28.