Emily Figel

The Tiger women's team played just one match last week, but even that was a big one against a quality opponent as Wittenberg prepares for the annual NCAC Championship Tournament. That competition, which features a dual match format, is slated for this weekend at Denison.

Last Thursday, Wittenberg upended the Ohio Athletic Conference's top team, the Ohio Northern Polar Bears, by a 7-2 count at the Albright Tennis Complex. The only two losses Wittenberg suffered were in three sets at the No. 5 and 6 singles positions.

Three of the six singles players have winning records and five of them have more wins than losses in NCAC action. Senior No. 2 singles player Shannon Oliphant (Columbus, Ohio/Hilliard Davidson) leads with records of 17-3 overall and 4-0 in the NCAC, sophomore Emily Figel (Ft. Wayne, Ind./Homestead) carries marks of 11-9 and 4-1, and junior No. 6 singles player Deana Nowakowski (Uniontown, Ohio/Lake) checks in with records of 10-7 overall and 3-2 in the NCAC. In addition, freshman No. 4 singles player Kristyn Russell (Loveland, Ohio/Mt. Notre Dame)has a 10-11 overall record but a perfect 5-0 record against NCAC foes.

The Tigers wrap up the regular season with a dual match against Otterbein on Tuesday, and then they head into the NCAC Championships. Wittenberg has finished third behind nationally ranked Kenyon and Denison each of the last two years.