Paco Labrador
GRANVILLE, Ohio - The Wittenberg Tigers put the finishing touches on another tremendous regular season with a 3-0 sweep of North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) rival Denison. Afterwards, the Tigers celebrated Head Coach Paco Labrador and his 200th career victory in just his 226th career match.
The win moved the fifth-ranked Tigers to 30-2 overall and a perfect 16-0 in the NCAC for a third straight year. It was Wittenberg's 51st straight regular season NCAC victory as the Tigers won all 16 matches in 2008 by 3-0 scores.
Wittenberg was paced offensively by senior right-side hitter Jackie Williams (Rocky River, Ohio/Magnificat), who pounded 12 kills while posting a .550 attack percentage. Sophomore right-side hitter Amy Cox (Newark, Ohio/Catholic) added seven kills on a .333 attack percentage.
Junior setters Erin Slattery (Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Kenston) and Kendall Obreza (Gainesville, Fla./Oak Hall) combined for 34 assists, while the defense got a lift from junior middle hitter Kate Snead (Westerville, Ohio/South) with four blocks. Rounding things out, senior libero Laura Fender (Toledo, Ohio/St. Ursula) and freshman outside hitter Kimmie Dyer (Copley, Ohio/Copley) each finished with nine digs.
Wittenberg has a week off before hosting the 2008 NCAC Tournament Nov. 7-8. The Tigers are the defending champions. Wittenberg has also been selected as the site of the 2008 NCAA Division III Great Lakes Regional Tournament for a third straight year. The Tigers have won five of the last six regional titles.