GRANVILLE, Ohio - In two matches at Denison University, the Wittenberg Tigers accomplished two important things. In a 3-0 win over the host Big Red, the Tigers took another methodical step toward a ninth North Coast Athletic Conference regular season title in the last 10 years. In a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over Heidelberg, the Tigers put together a rally that was reminiscent of the kind of cohesive team play that carried them to the brink of a 2005 national title.
For a team with the highest possible aspirations, Saturday's events couldn't have come at a better time. The Tigers, at No. 15 in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association poll still the highest ranked team in the Great Lakes Region, improved to 22-6 overall and 11-0 in the NCAC. With just three weeks left in the 2006 regular season, Wittenberg, which has now won four matches in a row, may be well positioned for another strong late-season run.
Against Denison, Wittenberg won the games 30-27, 30-23, 30-24. Junior outside hitter Jan Kehres (Alliance, Ohio/Alliance) finished with game-highs of 21 digs and 16 kills, building on a similarly strong statistical performance Friday at Ohio Wesleyan. Junior outside hitter Emily Bell (Fort Wayne, Ind./Concordia Lutheran)was just as proficient with 21 digs and 15 kills.
In addition, sophomore libero Laura Fender (Toledo, Ohio/St. Ursula) came up with 19 digs, while junior setter Sarah Matesich (Granville, Ohio/Newark Catholic)was solid with 25 assists.
The story was different against Heidelberg, another of the strong Ohio Athletic Conference teams this year. After Wittenberg took Game 1 by a 30-26 count, the Student Princes responded with 30-26 and 30-28 victories in the next two games. According to Head Coach Paco Labrador, Game 4 was a turning point - perhaps in the season. Slightly out of sync for much of the season, the Tigers tuned Heidelberg 30-17 in Game 4 and then carried the momentum into the final game for a 15-13 decision.
Statistically, sophomore outside hitter Jackie Williams (Rocky River, Ohio/Magnificat) was outstanding with 23 kills. Bell added 15 kills and a season-high 29 digs, while Kehres added 14 kills, 25 digs and two aces. Fender was strong defensively with 33 digs, while junior middle hitter Caitlin Augustus (Springfield, Ohio/Shawnee) added three blocks.
The Tigers return to action next weekend with home NCAC matches against Oberlin on Friday and Wooster on Saturday. Then Wittenberg takes on nationally ranked Mount St. Joseph in a match with significant regional implications. The Tigers are 4-4 against nationally ranked teams so far in 2006.