SPRINGFIELD, OH. – It's been home sweet home for the men's volleyball team as the Tigers picked up two victories Friday night, Feb. 14, during day one of the Springfield Men's Volleyball Showcase at Pam Evans Smith Arena, part of the Health, Wellness & Athletics Complex. 

Wittenberg, now 8-2 at home, defeated both Wisconsin Lutheran and Eastern Mennonite to improve to 10-6 overall and pick up its third win in a row.

An incredible hitting percentage of .625 powered the Tigers to an easy 3-0 victory over visiting Wisconsin Lutheran College in scores of 25-13, 25-10, and 25-15. Witt registered 18 block assists in the big win. Wisconsin Lutheran dropped to 3-6 on the season. 

The second match against Eastern Mennonite was a little tougher, but the Tigers took charge after set one and posted the 3-1 win in scores of 23-25, 25-22, 25-22, and 25-20. 

There were 16 ties in set one and 11 in set two before Wittenberg took command to lead most of the way in next the two sets even though the scores were close. With the loss, the Royals fall to 5-5 on the season. 

Team Leaders vs. Wisconsin Lutheran College

• Trajan Kress (Cincinnati, OH / Sycamore) led the team in kills with nine. He also had 13 total attacks and 10.5 points.
• Eli Halverson  (Hamilton, OH / Badin) recorded eight kills, 9.5 points, 15 total attacks, a team-high six digs, and three block assists.
• Zach Newton  (Morgantown, WV / Franklin Community) added eight kills, 10 total attacks, and nine points.
• Carson Hill (Liberty Township, OH / Lakota East) led the team in assists with 31 and added seven kills, 9.5 points, and one solo block and three block assists.
• Adam Blair (West Chester, OH / Lakota West) turned in five block assists.

Team Comparison vs. Wisconsin Lutheran College

• Team totals included 43 kills for Witt to 23 for the Warriors. 
• Total attacks were close with Wisconsin Lutheran registering 66 to the Tigers' 64.
• Wittenberg had 34 assists, while the Warriors had 23. Witt led in digs 21 to 15.
• Wisconsin Lutheran also had 10 service errors and a hitting percentage of just .076.

 Team Leaders vs. Eastern Mennonite

• Michael Yurk  (Indianapolis, IN / Bishop Chatard) led the team in kills with 18 on 43 total attacks. He also had 19.5 points, two assists, eight digs, and three block assists.
• Reese Monnin (Xenia, OH / Carroll) also had a good night with 14 kills on 26 total attacks for 17.5 points. He also had a service ace, three digs, one solo block, and three block assists.
• Gavin Hagerty (Fishers, IN / Fishers) tallied 16 assists, a service ace, and 11 digs.
• Sam Richardson (Akron, OH / Walsh Jesuit) recorded 19 assists, three service aces, and 11 digs.
• Jake Downs (Cincinnati, OH / Milford) had a team-high 14 digs.
• Moose Harper (Columbus, OH / Western Reserve Academy) had five digs and three block assists.

Team Comparison vs. Eastern Mennonite

• Wittenberg had 49 kills, 136 total attacks, 43 assists, six service aces, 62 digs, and 12 blocks against Eastern Mennonite. 
• Eastern Mennonite turned in 37 kills, 138 total attacks, 35 assists, six service aces, 52 digs, 13 block assists, and three solo blocks.
• Witt turned in a hitting percentage of .176 to the Royals' .101.

Up Next

The Springfield Men's Volleyball Showcase will continue Saturday, Feb. 15 at Pam Evans Smith Arena beginning with Wittenberg taking on Westminster at noon. Eastern Mennonite and Wisconsin Lutheran will play at the same time. Eastern Mennonite will take on Illinois Tech and Wisconsin Lutheran will battle Westminster in the 2:30 p.m. matches, then Wittenberg will play Illinois Tech at 5 p.m.