SPRINGFIELD, Ohio—Wittenberg women's volleyball has jumped out to a 6-0 start to their 2017 campaign, as the Tigers enjoyed a climb to #3 in the AVCA Top-25 poll this week. The Tigers hot start should not come as a surprise, as Paco Labrador's youthful squad returned several starters from their 2016 team that made it to the NCAA tournament a year ago. With numerous young faces sprinkled on top of an experienced team, the Tigers now shift their focus to the 2017 Wittenberg Fall Classic.
Alongside the #3 ranked Tigers, Wittenberg is joined by #9 Millkin, #12 Washington-St. Louis, Ohio Northern, Clarkson and Heidelberg. The Fall Classic kicks off Friday night with matches at 3:00PM, 5:00PM and 7:00PM and resumes on Saturday with matches at 10:00AM, 12:00PM, 2:00PM and 4:00PM. Tiger fans can catch the red and white in action on Friday at 7:00PM against Clarkson, and again on Saturday at 12:00PM against #12 Wash-U, and 4:00PM against ONU.
Full Fall Classic information can be found HERE.
The Fall Classic is also part of Wittenberg's homecoming festivities, which kick-off with the 2017 Hall of Honor Dinner. The Tigers women's volleyball program will see one of their very be ensrined in the prestigious Hall of Honor on Friday night; Beth Nowicki Schneider '98.
Nowicki Schneider was a setter for the Tiger women's volleyball team who engineered one of the most prolific offenses in NCAA Division III history. Schneider dished out 3,319 assists in just two seasons as a Tiger to rank third in program history, and her season total of 1,738 in 1996 ranks 13th in NCAA Division III Side-Out Season Records (1981-2000). Wittenberg posted a combined record of 66-15 in Schneider's two seasons, including regular season and league tournament titles in 1997 and back-to-back NCAA Division III Tournament berths. Schneider shared NCAC Player of the Year honors in 1997, earned two first-team all-league and all-region designations, and capped her career with All-America accolades in 1997. A native of Bowling Green, Ohio, Schneider currently resides in Gilbert, Ariz., with her husband Mike and their children Audrey, Jack and Mikella.
While the Tigers will be in competition-mode on Friday night during the Hall of Honor dinner, the program will honor Nowicki Schneider on Saturday night. The Wittenberg Tiger Volleyball reception for Nowicki Schneider will take place at 6:00PM, or a half-an-hour after the completion of Wittenberg's 4:00PM match with ONU, at the Ness Family Auditorium at Hollenbeck Hall.
The team looks forward to meeting alumni reconnecting with the volleyball team members from amazing teams of the past. Light snacks and beverages will be served. A drink ticket will also be given at registration. Register here.