O'Fallon, Illinois - The Wittenberg University Women's Water Polo kicked off its second season of varsity competition on Saturday (2/1) with a pair of setbacks against NCAA Division II institutions, first falling to host McKendree, 23-8, before closing out the day with a narrow 10-9 loss in overtime against Lindenwood (MO). Both of the matches were contested at the McKendree Metro Rec Plex.

Who Stood Out

Senior Savanah Phillips paced Wittenberg in the season-opening matches as she combined for 10 goals on the day, which included sinking six of the Tigers' nine goals in the narrow one-goal loss against Lindenwood. Sophomore Tatum Bruno also contributed on the offensive side of the pool against Lindenwood with three assists and a goal of her own. The Tigers also had a strong defensive presence against Lindenwood with 17 total steals, led by sophomore Calista Spring with a team-high four takeaways.

Sophomore goalie Caroline Coleman had a strong showing on the day in her first-career starts in the Wittenberg cage as she picked up 11 saves against McKendree and five more against Lindenwood to give her 16 saves on the day.

Up Next 

The Tigers will now be off for two weeks before returning to the pool in late February (22-23) at the Washington & Jefferson Invitational in western Pennsylvania. Over the course of the two-day event, the Tigers will square off against Gannon, Grove City, McKendree and host W&J.