Grand Rapids, MI -- Making their 26th return to the NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Championships, the Wittenberg women's volleyball team defeated St. John Fisher, 3-0 [25-21, 25-19, 25-23]. The Tigers now hold a 17-6 record in first round NCAA Tournament games, which include 12 first round 3-0 sweeps dating back to 2000. With this win, Wittenberg improves to 7-1 in first round matches, hosted at their home away from home at the Grand Rapids Regional.
It was a back and forth battle between the North Coast Athletic Conference and Empire 8 Champions, trading kills through the early going. The Tigers were led by Katie Hiestand and Tyler Linkhart, putting down 12 kills apiece. Linkhart recorded the team-high kill percentage, hitting .345 to open the tournament, with just two errors on 29 swings. Hiestand registered her 17th double-double of the season, adding 13 digs to her credit along with two blocks up front. Laney Yoder and Hannah Schartz followed up with seven and six kills each for the Tiger attack. Yoder posted a .545 hitting percentage, with seven kills on 11 attempts and just one error. NCAC Libero of the Year and AVCA All-District Honoree, Dakota White 11 digs, four assists and two service aces.
Wittenberg put together a .254 kill marker on the evening, putting down 44 kills on 114 total attacks and just 15 errors. The Tigers edged out the Cardinals in the first set with a .178 hitting percentage. Wittenberg tallied 15 kills on 45 total attacks while holding St. John Fisher to a .119 attacking percentage. The Tiger attack picked up in the second set, putting down 14 kills and just three errors on 33 total attacks for a .333 hitting percentage. For the second consecutive set, Wittenberg held the Cardinals to just 10 kills and forcing five Cardinal errors. Wittenberg took the lead late in the third set, going on to seal the sweep of St. John Fisher and advancing into the second round.
The Tigers await the winner of the Penn. State Behrend/Calvin match.