Tigers Remain Unbeaten In NCAC With Sweep Of DePauw

Kimmie Dyer

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — The fourth-ranked Wittenberg Tigers bounced back from an upset loss at Otterbein to remain unbeaten in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) with a sweep of visiting DePauw.

The match was a first for the two long-time rivals as DePauw was making its first visit to Wittenberg as a member of the NCAC. The host Tigers improved to 15-2 overall and 7-0 in the NCAC, while the visiting Tigers suffered their first conference defeat to fall to 14-6 overall and 5-1 in the NCAC.

In winning by set scores of 25-15, 25-21, 25-18, Wittenberg spread the offense around as six different players registered at least three kills on at least 12 attack attempts. Senior Kimmie Dyer (Copley, Ohio/Copley) was stellar with 11 kills to go along with nine digs and two block assists, while senior Katie Sumner (Dublin, Ohio/Watterson) repeatedly found holes in the middle of the DePauw defense, finishing with 10 kills on just 17 swings. She also added three total blocks to the team's defensive effort.

The setting duo of junior Hallie Donathan (Tipp City, Ohio/Tippecanoe) and freshman Meghan Vodopich (Canton, Ohio/Perry) split 33 assists as evenly as two players could. Defensively, senior Hannah Riley (Minerva, Ohio/Minerva) was tops with 11 digs, followed by junior Christina Gilene (Milford, Ohio/McNicholas), who had nine to match Dyer's total. Gilene also contributed four assists and two service aces.

The Tigers now turn their attention to one old foe and three relatively unusual opponents over the weekend when NCAC rival Wooster, neighboring scholarship program Urbana, Fairmont State and Alderson-Broaddus come calling on Friday and Saturday. Catch all the action on the Tiger Sports Network.