SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Wittenberg Tigers long ago surpassed the school record for consecutive wins to open a season. After an exhaustive search through the archives to confirm that 10-0 was indeed the previous best start to a season in school history, the next task may be to determine the school record for consecutive games won in a row.
After the Tigers swept North Coast Athletic Conference rival Allegheny 3-0 on Friday, the count stands at 23 straight, encompassing seven matches, plus the final two of a 3-2 win over Hope College on Sept. 14. For the season, Wittenberg's overall record stands at 19-0, including a 4-0 mark against NCAC competition.
The Tigers were victorious by game scores of 30-15, 30-20, 30-28. Offensively, three players finished with 12 kills apiece - senior outside hitters Emily Bell (Fort Wayne, Ind./Concordia Lutheran) and Jan Kehres (Alliance, Ohio/Alliance) and junior outside hitter Jackie Williams (Rocky River, Ohio/Magnificat). Sophomore setter Erin Slattery (Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Kenston) led the way in assists with 30.
The Tiger defense was solid as usual, led by Bell with 16 digs, sophomore liberoBrittany Gordon (Los Altos, Calif./Kings Academy) with 15 digs and Kehres with 14 digs. Williams was tops in blocks with three, and Kehres led in aces with three.