Perfect Fall Classic Day Highlighted By Sweep Of No. 1-Ranked Calvin

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - The Wittenberg Tigers came into the weekend with a slim 12-10 lead in the all-time series with Calvin. But the Knights - ranked No. 1 in the nation after capturing their second NCAA Division III title in the last three years - had won four of the last five matches, dating back to 2010.

Small wonder that the Tigers and their legion of fans - many covered from head to toe in body paint - expressed such joy following a 3-0 sweep of the Knights. The win wasn't just the ninth-ranked team in the country defeating the top-ranked team, the storyline was about a team that put together a nearly flawless performance against a rival that has almost always had the answers in recent years.

After Wittenberg defeated Calvin by set scores of 25-17, 25-15, 25-16, the Tigers returned to the court a few hours later and took care of business again. This time it was a 3-1 decision against Heidelberg, earned by set scores of 25-15, 25-21, 25-27, 25-15.

The two wins improved Wittenberg's record to 6-2 on the season. No rest for the weary, however, as the Tigers will hit the court for Day 2 of the Wittenberg Fall Classic, playing matches against eighth-ranked Juniata and Ohio Northern.

They will enter the final day of competition in the tourney with plenty of momentum, gained in large part from a tremendous offensive display against Calvin, which was playing without its starting setter. The Tigers attacked at a robust .348 clip, spreading the offensive action throughout the lineup as five different players finished in double figures for attack attempts.

Junior Kristina Fultz (Batavia, Ohio/Glen Este) led the way with 10 kills and a .389 attack percentage, while junior Melissa Emming (West Chester, Ohio/Mount Notre Dame) and junior Kara Seidenstricker (London, Ohio/Jonathan Alder) added nine kills apiece. Emming equaled senior Kiah Murray (Yorktown, Ind./Yorktown) for the top spot in digs as well.

Also of note was the play of senior Meghan Vodopich (Canton, Ohio/Perry), who dished out 31 assists to go along with seven kills, and junior Bryanna Jay (Girard, Ohio/Girard), who came up with four key blocks, including a pair of solo efforts.

Against Heidelberg, Seidenstricker continued her stellar play, pounding 19 kills and finishing with a .390 attack percentage. Fultz added 13 kills, five blocks and 17 digs, and sophomore Emily Kahlig (Coldwater, Ohio/Coldwater) chipped in with 10 kills and a .350 attack percentage. Vodopich added 39 assists, nine kills and 10 digs.

Written By: Ryan Maurer