SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - It has become nothing short of an annual rite of passage around Pam Evans Smith Arena. Every year, the Wittenberg Tigers are the last team standing in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Tournament, celebrating with another trophy.
The latest piece of hardware was earned after the Tigers turned back stern challenges from Hiram and DePauw to win their ninth straight NCAC Tournament title and their 21st title since 1992. Wittenberg earned the league's automatic berth into the NCAA Division III Tournament, which begins at regional sites across the country on Thursday, Nov. 12.
After beating eighth-seeded Allegheny in the quarterfinal round on Friday, Wittenberg defeated fourth-seeded Hiram 3-0 in the semifinals. The win was the 400th of Head Coach Paco Labrador's 12-year Wittenberg career.
Wittenberg beat Hiram - the only NCAC program with a win over the Tigers since 1997 - by set scores of 25-23, 25-20 and 25-20. Seniors Bryanna Jay (Girard, Ohio/Girard) and Kara Seidenstricker (London, Ohio/Jonathan Alder) each pounded nine kills in the match, while three different setters finished in double figures for assists, led by freshman Megan Flaherty (Dublin, Ohio/Coffman).
The defense was sparked by senior libero Kristina Fultz (Batavia, Ohio/Glen Este) with 20 digs, backed by Seidenstricker with 14 digs. She also recorded four service aces in the match.
The win over third-seeded DePauw was earned over the course of four sets. Wittenberg started off well enough with a 25-19 win, only to have DePauw jump out to a big lead in the second set en route to a 25-22 decision. The host Tigers bounced back, however, putting together two dominating sets, winning 25-16 and 25-14.
Wittenberg attacked successfully through the middle against DePauw, led by junior Emily Kahlig (Coldwater, Ohio/Coldwater) with 13 kills. She was supported offensively by senior Melissa Emming (West Chester, Ohio/Mount Notre Dame) with 12 kills, and Seidenstricker and sophomore Maddie Fischer (Minerva, Ohio/Minerva) with eight kills each as freshman Karen Wildemann (Columbus, Ind./North) dished out 20 assists.
The Tiger defense was sparked by freshman Kennedey Schmidt (Englewood, Ohio/Northmont), who came off the bench to contribute four blocks, topped only Seidenstricker's five. Fultz led in digs with 25, followed by Seidenstricker with 22 and Emming with 19.
Wittenberg has now won 59 NCAC regular season matches in a row and 22 NCAC Tournament matches in a row. The Tigers will take a 24-2 overall record into their 22nd NCAA Division III Tournament since 1993.
Written By: Ryan Maurer