Wittenberg Suffers First Loss of Season in MCVL Opener

SHEBOYGAN, Wisconsin-- The Tigers fell 25-22, 25-19, 25-17 for the team's first loss in its first seven matches of the season. Wittenberg received votes this week in the most recent AVCA/NCAA Division III Top 15 Coaches' Poll, but could not overcome Lakeland's attack. The Tigers hit a solid .256 with 36 kills and 14 errors in 86 attempts, but posted just two service aces. The loss was the first in the history of Wittenberg's varsity program, moving the team to 6-1 on the season and 0-1 in Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League play.

MATCH NOTES

• Despite trailing 18-14 in the first set, Wittenberg rallied back to tie the game at 22-22 before falling 25-22.
• The Tiger attack was only able to produce ten kills in the second set, on their way to hitting .172.
• In the third set, Wittenberg was able to produce 14 kills, as Dylan Kolovitz's (Chicago, Illinois/St. Patrick) kill to make the set 14-10 was as close as the Tigers would get.

TOP PERFORMERS

• Kolovitz (16), Joel Sotos (Dublin, Ohio/Coffman) (6), and Justin Luby (Akron, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit) (5) led in kills for Wittenberg's offense.
• As a team, Wittenberg finished the three-set affair with 36 kills.
• Charles Atkinson (Mount Vernon,Ohio/Mount Vernon) totaled three blocks on the night to lead his team in the loss.
• Ross Russell (Akron, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit) set the Tiger offense with 34 assists, following up an impressive weekend where he was named Jim Coleman Memorial All-Tournament Team.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• From the service line, Wittenberg was only able to land two aces, as Lakeland's attack produced eight.
• Sotos and Luby combined for nine digs, while the Tiger's combined for 25 as a team.

UP NEXT

• The Tigers return to MCVL action tomorrow at 3:00pm against Marian University, as the Wisconsin road-trip continues for Wittenberg.

Written By: Kuris Duggan