SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Wittenberg Tigers may have been proven mere mortals when it comes to the North Coast Athletic Conference in 2005, but that doesn't mean they plan to allow more than one opponent to challenge them. For the sixth time in seven NCAC matches this year, the Tigers swept past an opponent, this time taking the measure of Denison, 3-0.

Wittenberg, which improved to 18-4 overall and 6-1 in the NCAC, remains the highest ranked team in the conference and the entire state of Ohio, for that matter, at No. 7 in the latest NCAA Division III Coaches' poll. Denison is one of several challengers in the conference, but only Hiram last Friday was able to defeat the Tigers.

Sophomore outside hitter Jan Kehres led the way with 12 kills and 19 digs in another outstanding all-around effort. Senior outside hitter Linda Young added 10 kills and sophomore outside hitter Emily Bell chipped in with two aces to also spark the offense. Defensively, freshman libero Laura Fender was tops with 17 digs, while senior middle hitter Emily Dixon tacked on a team season-high eight blocks.

The Tigers next will hit the road for a trip to California and a chance to re-establish themselves on a national lever with four matches on Friday and Saturday at Cal State-East Bay (formerly Cal State-Hayward).