Tigers Start NCAC Action With Two Wins

Hannah Riley

MEADVILLE, Penn.- The Wittenberg volleyball team finished up its first day of the opening North Coast Athletic Conference Power Weekend at Allegheny College with two straight set wins, first over Ohio Wesleyan by scores of 25-12, 25-9 and 25-18, and then over Earlham by scores of 25-15, 25-10 and 25-11. The Tigers improve to 6-3 overall with the wins, and are owners of a perfect 2-0 record in NCAC action.

The ninth-ranked Tigers never let either opponent within striking range, each set ending with a margin of at least eight points. Wittenberg held Ohio Wesleyan to a negative hitting percentage in the day's first match, which began at 2 p.m.

Leading the way for the Tigers against Ohio Wesleyan at the net was sophomore middle hitter Katie Sumner (Dublin, Ohio/Watterson), who tallied a team-high five block assists as part of an eight-block match as a team. Sumner also tacked on five kills on a .308 hitting percentage.

Sophomore outside hitter Kimmie Dyer (Copley, Ohio/Copley) and freshman outside hitter Jessie Batanian (Toledo, Ohio/Notre Dame) matched Sumner with five kills apiece and .308 hitting percentages, while sophomore hitter Hannah Riley (Minerva, Ohio/Minerva) led all players with six kills on a .333 hitting percentage. Senior outside hitter Katherine Yuskewich (Columbus, Ohio/Watterson) also contributed four kills to round out the leaders of Wittenberg's 29-kill, .300 attack.

Riley also led in the digs category with 12, and along with senior middle hitter Kate Snead (Westerville, Ohio/South) posted three block assists.

Detailed information regarding the Earlham match will be available Saturday, Sept. 27.

Written by: John Strawn '07