Springfield, Ohio – The Wittenberg volleyball team kicks off the 2014 season the only way the Tigers know – by hosting one of the most competitive tournaments in NCAA Division III. 

The Tigers will welcome Johns Hopkins University, St. Thomas University (Minn.) and Hope College for the annual Courtyard by Marriott Wittenberg National Invitational Friday, Aug. 29, and Saturday, Aug. 30, in Pam Evans Smith Arena. Two matches will be played on Friday, starting at 5 p.m., and four more are scheduled for Saturday, starting at 10 a.m.

Click here for tournament home page.

The four-team field is noteworthy because of the high expectations for each participating school. Wittenberg is the preseason favorite in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) and opens the 2014 season ranked No. 7 after posting a record of 25-9 last year. The Tigers saw their season end in the NCAA Division III Tournament Round of 16 at top-ranked Calvin for the third time in the last four years. 

Hope is coming off one of the finest seasons in school history, including a final national ranking of No. 3 and a 32-3 overall record. The Dutch open the 2014 campaign ranked No. 4, one spot ahead of St. Thomas, the 2012 national champion. St. Thomas is coming off a 2013 season that ended with a record of 30-3 and a No. 6 national ranking. 

Rounding things out is Johns Hopkins, the preseason favorite in the Centennial Conference. The Blue Jays finished 14-13 overall a year ago.

Written By: Ryan Maurer