ST. LOUIS, Mo. - As regular season weekends go for NCAA Division III volleyball programs, they just don't get much bigger than this. The No. 2 ranked Wittenberg Tigers were more than up to the challenge, rising to the occasion to knock off four straight opponents over a two-day span at the Washington University National Invitational.
The first was a 3-1 victory over the host Bears of Washington University, the fourth-ranked team in the nation. By scores of 30-16, 30-17, 28-30, 30-28, the Tigers made a statement against the 2006 national runner-up team and cleared a psychological hurdle against a team they hadn't beaten since 2002.
Junior outside hitter Jackie Williams (Rocky River, Ohio/Magnificat) was the offensive catalyst, pounding out 17 kills on a .441 attack percentage. Senior outside hitter Lindsey Penrod (Piqua, Ohio/Piqua) and senior middle hitter Caitlin Augustus (Springfield, Ohio/Shawnee) added 12 kills apiece, both season highs.
Elsewhere on the stats sheet, sophomore setter Erin Slattery (Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Kenston) contributed four aces, Augustus led with six blocks and senior outside hitter Jan Kehres (Alliance, Ohio/Alliance) added 29 digs. Junior liberoLaura Fender (Toledo, Ohio/St. Ursula) chipped in with 23 digs.
The win over Washington University had national significance, but a 3-0 win over No. 15 Ohio Northern later in the day had an even bigger impact on the regional scene. Long a nemesis of the Tigers, the Polar Bears were sent to an 0-4 record in the tournament by scores of 30-27, 30-24, 30-20.
Williams was again the go-to player on offense as she contributed 14 kills. Senior outside hitter Emily Bell (Fort Wayne, Ind./Concordia Lutheran) had a fine all-around match with 12 kills and 14 digs, while Kehres added 12 kills.