Tigers Settle For Split Against Top-Ranked Teams At Calvin

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - The Wittenberg Tigers split a pair of matches on Day 1 of the Midwest Volleyball Challenge, defeating No. 7 Mount Union 3-1 before dropping a 3-0 decision to top-ranked host team Calvin.

Both Mount Union and Calvin came into the weekend without a loss. The Tigers put the first blemish on Mount Union's resume by set scores of 23-25, 25-14, 25-19, 25-17, but the Knights proved too much in the final match of a busy day at Calvin by scores of 25-13, 25-15, 25-18.

Wittenberg heads into another challenging day at the Midwest Volleyball Challenge with an overall record of 13-6. The Tigers will take on second-ranked Hope on the Dutch's home floor before wrapping up the weekend against Bethany (W.Va.).

Against Mount Union, sophomore Kara Seidenstricker (London, Ohio/Jonathan Alder) led a tremendous offensive attack for the Tigers, pouring in 18 kills on a .372 attack percentage. She also contributed five assists, four service aces and 12 digs in a fine all-around performance.

Sophomore Melissa Emming (West Chester, Ohio/Mount Notre Dame) turned in perhaps her finest match of the 2013 season with 12 kills to go along with seven digs. Also of note, senior Andrea Behling (Columbus, Ind./North) finished with nine kills, junior Meghan Vodopich (Canton, Ohio/Massillon Perry) was stellar with 38 assists, nine kills (.533 attack percentage) and nine digs, and sophomore Katie Zito (Canton, Ohio/Massillon Jackson) sparked the defense with a career-high 29 digs.

Against Calvin, the Tigers managed an attack percentage of just .063, thanks in large part to 10 team blocks by the Knights. On the other side, Calvin was efficient on offense, finishing with a .412 attack percentage.

Behling led Wittenberg with eight kills and Vodopich turned in another solid stats line of 22 assists, six kills and five digs. Seidenstricker added six kills and 10 digs.