ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The Wittenberg Tigers were forced to settle for a split on Day 2 of the Washington University/ASICS National Invitational after starting the day with a 3-0 sweep of Southwestern (Mo.) and ending it with a 3-2 loss to the host Bears in a match-up of nationally ranked teams.

For the weekend, Wittenberg wound with two wins against one loss and saw its record in the early-going of the 2014 season settle in at 4-2. The Tigers now have nearly a week off from game action before returning home to play four matches in the Wittenberg Fall Classic Sept. 12-13.

Against Southwestern, the Tigers didn't attack particularly well, finishing with a team percentage of .175. However, the defense was stellar, with six total team blocks and three players in double figures for digs as Wittenberg pulled away by set scores of 25-17, 29-27 and 25-19.

Offensively, Wittenberg was paced by junior Melissa Emming (West Chester, Ohio/Mount Notre Dame) with 11 kills. Sophomore Emily Kahlig (Coldwater, Ohio/Coldwater) continued her stellar play attacking the middle of the opposing defense, finishing with eight kills. Also of note, senior setter Meghan Vodopich (Canton, Ohio/Perry) dished out 23 assists.

Vodopich also finished with 12 digs to spark the defense. Junior Kara Seidenstricker (London, Ohio/Jonathan Alder) added 14 digs to go along with seven kills and whopping seven service aces, while senior libero Kiah Murray (Yorktown, Ind./Yorktown) led both teams with 19 digs.

The final match of the tournament quickly became the latest installment in a tremendous rivalry between Wittenberg and Washington University. Wittenberg came into the weekend ranked No. 5 nationally, while the Bears check in at No. 12.

Washington won the opening set 25-22, but Wittenberg had the answer in the second with a 25-15 decision. The Bears pulled back in front with a 25-21 win in the third set, only to see the Tigers rally again, dominating the fourth frame to the tune of 25-10.

Wittenberg had all the momentum going into the fifth set, but the pattern held. The Bears jumped on top with five of the first seven points and slowly pulled away from there for a 15-8 victory and the match.

Emming was again the high player in kills with 16, followed closely by Seidenstricker with 15, in addition to 19 digs. Kahlig, Vodopich and sophomore Kendall Farmer (Gurnee, Ill./Warren Township) each added eight kills.

Vodopich also finished with 50 assists and three blocks, and the defense got a lift from Murray with 22 digs. Vodopich and Seidenstricker were both named to the all-tournament team.

Written By: Ryan Maurer