Shannon Oliphant

The Tiger women's team concluded its 2003 season in almost identical fashion to the way it finished the previous two seasons - with a third place finish in the NCAC Championship Tournament. For the third straight year, Wittenberg placed behind perennial national powers Kenyon and Denison.

It was hardly a disappointing showing for the Tigers, who posted a winning dual match record for a second straight season despite playing a very challenging schedule. Third-seeded Wittenberg capped the season with a quarterfinal win over No. 6 seed Wooster on Friday, a loss to No. 2 seed Kenyon on Saturday and a victory over No. 4 seed Oberlin on Sunday.

Four of the team's six singles players finished with records, as did two of the three doubles teams. Sophomore No. 1 singles player Emily Figel (Ft. Wayne, Ind./Homestead) finished 12-10 overall and 4-2 against NCAC competition. Senior No. 2 singles player Shannon Oliphant (Columbus, Ohio/Hilliard Davidson)capped her stellar career with records of 19-3 overall and 5-0 in the NCAC. Freshman No. 4 singles player Kristyn Russell (Loveland, Ohio/Mt. Notre Dame)produced a 13-11 overall record and a mark of 7-0 in NCAC action. And junior No. 6 singles player Deana Nowakowski (Uniontown, Ohio/Lake) rounded things out with marks of 13-8 and 6-2.