SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Wittenberg Tigers completed their fourth straight unbeaten run through the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) regular season and celebrated Senior Recognition Day with matching sweeps of Allegheny and Marietta.
The wins pushed Wittenberg's overall record to 20-3, including an 8-0 record in the NCAC. The win over Allegheny was the Tigers' 51st in a row in regular season play against league competition, dating back to a loss to Hiram in September 2010. It earned Wittenberg hosting rights for the NCAC Tournament, which will take place on two courts in Pam Evans Smith Arena on Friday, Nov. 7, and Saturday, Nov. 8.
Wittenberg, ranked No. 4 in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association poll, opened the tri-match by dispatching Allegheny by set scores of 25-12, 25-12, 25-23. The Tigers have not lost to Allegheny, which fell to 16-12 overall and 2-5 in the NCAC, since 1996.
Sophomore middle hitter Kendall Farmer (Gurnee, Ill./Warren Township) continued to come on strong, leading the Tigers with 10 kills and four blocks. Sophomore middle hitter Emily Kahlig (Coldwater, Ohio/Coldwater) and freshman Maddie Fischer (Minerva, Ohio/Minerva) added six kills each.
The defense was paced by senior libero Kiah Murray (Yorktown, Ind./Yorktown) with 11 digs, followed closely by junior outside hitter Kristina Fultz (Batavia, Ohio/Glen Este) and sophomore defensive specialist Maria Froendhoff (Fort Thomas, Ky./Newport Central Catholic) with 10 digs apiece.
As a team, Wittenberg attacked at a .288 clip, compared to a negative attack percentage for the Gators.
After Marietta defeated Allegheny 3-1, the Tigers put the finishing touches on a Happy Homecoming with a 3-0 defeat of the Pioneers. The match started with a celebration of the team's two seniors, Murray and setter Meghan Vodopich (Canton, Ohio/Massillon Perry), and it ended with dominating set scores of 25-17, 25-10, 25-20.
Junior right-side hitter Kara Seidenstricker (London, Ohio/Jonathan Alder) led the offense with nine kills to go along with 10 digs and four blocks. Kahlig added eight kills on a .533 attack percentage, and she also contributed four blocks.
Murray piled up 22 digs to lead both teams. Fultz added 15 digs.
The NCAC regular season is Wittenberg's eighth in a row and 20th in the last 21 years. The Tigers will close the regular season with a trip to San Antonio, Texas, for a tournament at Trinity next weekend.
Written By: Ryan Maurer