OBERLIN, Ohio — Just one week after posting their biggest win of the 2010-11 season over Allegheny, the two teams met again in the first round of the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Tournament. This time, the Gators jumped on top quickly and relegated the Tigers to a consolation match.
Wittenberg, the No. 4 seed, dropped to 18-6 overall on the season after finishing 3-3 in the NCAC regular season. Allegheny, the No. 5 seed, advanced to the semifinals and a date with nationally ranked Denison on Sunday, while the Tigers will face the winner of Sunday's first match between Ohio Wesleyan and Wooster for fifth place in the final conference standings.
Allegheny jumped out to a 2-1 lead through the doubles competition, with Wittenberg's lone win coming at the No. 2 spot. That's where freshmen Leah Ann Miller (Springfield, Ohio/Catholic Central) and Emma Bilyeu (Terre Haute, Ind./Vigo) were 8-6 victors.
The Tigers were beaten in straight sets at No. 3, No. 4 and No. 6 singles to decide the match. No. 1, No. 2 and No. 5 singles matches were not played to completion.