Tigers Celebrate Seniors and Victory Over Kenyon

Springfield, OH – The Wittenberg women's volleyball team celebrated five seniors on Saturday afternoon before hosting the Ladies of Kenyon College. Dakota White, Ashley Brooks, Sidney Reeder, Katie Hiestand and Gabi Hancock make up this Tiger senior class. Each leaving their own legacy upon the Tiger program; White has amassing 747 digs and 42 aces in her career for Wittenberg. Recently, Brooks added her name to the 1,000 assists club on the road at Wooster, currently sitting at 1,034. After an unfortunate injury to begin her senior season, Reeder posted a team-high .220 hitting percentage, accumulating 165 kills during her career. A four-year starter, Hiestand has compiled an impressive 769 kills, 48 service aces, 111 blocks and 770 digs. Hancock has been a force at the net, amassing 327 kills and 159 total blocks to date. As a class, this group of Tigers holds an overall record of 52-23, earning three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances with the 2020 Championships being canceled due to COVID.

The Tigers made the senior celebrations even sweeter with a clean sweep 3-0 [25-18, 25-22, 25-16]. With excitement and emotions running high to start the match, the Tigers went in heavy on the attack with a hitting percentage of .294 shutting down the Ladies' offense, leaving them with a .171 percentage in the first set. Wittenberg took advantage of the senior day festivities, having the home crowd in their favor. Hiestand totaled 25 attempts over the net with 11 kills. She assisted White on the defensive with 15 digs, White collecting 21. 

Tigers went on a short run beginning the second set, pushing forward with a second set victory, setting up for a sweep of 3-0. The Tigers carried the momentum as sophomore Tyler Linkhart had 12 kills and 22 attempts along with an outstanding 28 aces from sophomore Mack Ricketts. The Tigers totaled 43 kills and 62 digs overall.

Wittenberg will be heading to Denison to play the Big Red Wednesday, October 27, at 7 p.m.