Tigers Split Pair At Urbana Tri-Match

Wittenberg was pushed to a fifth set twice in one day, splitting a pair against Urbana and Fairmont State.

Brooke Barney (8) and Kristine Fultz (11) shined offensively as the Tigers split a pair with Fairmont State and Urbana. File Photo | Erin Pence
Brooke Barney (8) and Kristine Fultz (11) shined offensively as the Tigers split a pair with Fairmont State and Urbana. File Photo | Erin Pence
October 6, 2012
Box Score

URBANA, Ohio - The Wittenberg Tigers ventured out of NCAA Division III play and wound up with a split decision in a tri-match at Urbana. Wittenberg lost 3-2 to Fairmont State before defeating Urbana by a matching 3-2 count.

Against Fairmont State, the Tigers lost by set scores of 25-21, 16-25, 21-25, 25-15 and 16-14. Against Urbana, the scores just as tight: 19-25, 25-15, 14-25, 25-19 and 15-13.

In both matches, Head Coach Paco Labrador substituted liberally and gave substantial playing time to numerous players who have seen limited opportunities in 2012. Against Fairmont State, four players finished in double figures for kills - senior Jessica Batanian (Sylvania, Ohio/Notre Dame) with 12, sophomore Meghan Vodopich (Canton, Ohio/Perry) with 11, and the middle hitter tandem of junior Andrea Behling (Columbus, Ind./North) and freshman Haley Mucha (Lewis Center, Ohio/Olentangy Orange) with 10 apiece.

Vodopich was also outstanding as a setter with a career-high 41 assists. Defensively, sophomore Kiah Murray (Yorktown, Ind./Yorktown) paced the Tigers with a career-best 25 digs, while Batanian added 12.

The Tigers' third match of the weekend, and second of the day, featured three players in double figures offensively - freshman Kristina Fultz (Batavia, Ohio/Glen Este) with a career-high 13 kills, freshman Melissa Emming (West Chester, Ohio/Mount Notre Dame) with 12 and Mucha with 11. Vodopich dished out 32 assists.

Defensively, Murray was tops with 20 digs, followed by Fultz with 17.