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Emilie Schmid

The Wittenberg volleyball team is rolling at just the right time, and now the Tigers may have the proper momentum heading into the loaded Wittenberg National Invitational II this weekend at the HPER Center. Joining the sixth-ranked Tigers in the field are four other nationally ranked squads - Mount St. Joseph, Elmhurst, Washington University and St. Thomas - and three other perennial national powers with winning records currently - Baldwin-Wallace, Muskingum and Wartburg.

The eight teams will compete over a two-day span beginning at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, and winding up with championship and third-place matches at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11. The teams will compete on two courts in Wittenberg's HPER Center.

The Tigers, who have won six straight NCAC regular season and tournament championships and has made seven straight appearances in the NCAA Division III Tournament, are riding a 10-match win streak after winning three NCAC matches in the last week by lop-sided margins. On Saturday, Wittenberg defeated visiting Wooster and Oberlin by 3-0 scores and on Wednesday, the Tigers overwhelmed Ohio Wesleyan by a 3-0 count.

Junior setter Sarah Yuskewich (Columbus, Ohio/Watterson) continues to provide great leadership. She leads the NCAC and ranks among the best in the nation with 703 assists, good for a per game average of 12.55. Yuskewich also leads the Tigers with 53 blocks and 24 service aces.

Junior middle hitter Kristin Fox (Galion, Ohio/Galion) leads the way offensively with 207 kills, good for a 3.45 per game average that ranks fourth in the NCAC. Five players have accumulated more than 100 kills through 60 games this season, a tremendously balanced statistical showing that speaks volumes about the team's depth and versatility.

Defensively, junior libero Emilie Schmid (Canton, Ohio/Massillon Jackson) has been phenomenal this season, averaging 7.19 digs per game to lead the NCAC by a wide margin and rank in the top five nationally. Three Tiger players have more than 200 digs on the season, including senior twins Jennifer Emming (West Chester, Ohio/Mt. Notre Dame) with 292 and Michelle Emming (West Chester, Ohio/Mt. Notre Dame) with 215.

After this weekend's tournament, the Tigers close out NCAC action on Oct. 18 in a tri-match that involves the top three teams in the conference, Hiram, Denison and Wittenberg. The following weekend features a trip to Texas for a tournament hosted by nationally ranked Trinity.