No. 9 Tigers Overtake Big Red For Share of 26th NCAC Regular Season Title

Springfield, OH – Pam Evans Smith was rocking with the No. 9 Tigers battling the Big Red in what played out in an instant classic, with Wittenberg claiming at least a share of their league-leading 26^th regular season North Coast Athletic Conference crown with a 3-2 (12-25, 25-13, 25-17, 21-25, 15-13). Battling back-and-forth through five sets, the Tigers claimed victory coming back in the fifth, by a score of 15-13, with an all-around team effort.

Everything came down to the final set. With the Tigers trailing early, Wittenberg stormed back putting down six straight points. The rally was highlighted by Reagan Kane delivering a game-sealing ace to give the Tigers the victory. 

Wittenberg was led by outstanding play from Katie Hiestand and Mack Ricketts, the Tigers bounced back with a 25-13 second set win, to bring the match back to even at one set apiece. In the third set, both teams came out looking to take the advantage, but the Tigers, led by great defensive play down the stretch from the front line of Laney Yoder and Kendall Robertson, claiming a 25-17. The Big Red answered in the fourth set, pulling away late and claiming a 25-21 victory. 

Wittenberg put together a .219 hitting-percentage on the day, with 58 kills on over 175 total attack attempts. Three Tigers tallied double-digit kills, including Hiestand (18), Linkhart (13), Schartz (10). Ricketts tallied 36 of Wittenberg's 52 assists on the day.

With this win, Wittenberg improves to 18-3 on the season while remaining unbeaten in NCAC play at 6-0.