The Wittenberg volleyball team came so close the players and coaches could almost feel that famed Walnut & Bronze NCAA Division III Championship trophy in their hands. After a 3-2 loss to defending national champion Juniata in the NCAA Tournament semifinals on Nov. 18 in Salem, Va., the Tigers have much to be proud of, however, and much to look forward to as well.
Wittenberg capped its season with a 34-5 overall record after making the program's first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament semifinals. On two previous occasions, the Tigers had advanced to the national quarterfinals only to lose, but in 2005 they rallied from an 11-7 deficit in the fifth game to defeat New York University 3-2.
The Tigers then had their 18-match win streak snapped in most unlikely fashion against Juniata, which lost 3-2 in the championship match the next night to Wisconsin-Whitewater. Wittenberg led 14-10 in the fifth game, but Juniata responded with six straight kills to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Champions of the North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament for the ninth straight year and Great Lakes Regional titlists for the third time in the last four years, Wittenberg finished the season ranked third in the nation, matching the Tigers' preseason ranking. The national semifinals berth was the first for a Wittenberg team since 1994 when the men's basketball team advanced that far and it was the best finish ever for a women's program representing the university.
While several players shined brightly at the national tournament - including sophomore outside hitters Emily Bell (Fort Wayne, Ind./Concordia Lutheran) andJan Kehres (Alliance, Ohio/Alliance), the team leaders in kills and digs - senior middle hitter Emily Dixon (Granville, Ohio/Granville) stepped up her game most of all. She contributed a career-high 14 blocks in the quarterfinal win over NYU and then another 10 blocks in the semifinal loss to Juniata.
For her efforts, Dixon was recognized with NCAA Division III All-Tournament team honors. She is the first Wittenberg player to ever receive such an accolade, and she was the only player on the 2005 all-tournament team from a team other than Wisconsin-Whitewater or Juniata.