Tigers Close Regular Season With Wins Over Heidelberg And Ohio Northern

ADA, Ohio - The Wittenberg women's volleyball team made it six straight victories to close the 2023 regular season as the Tigers topped Heidelberg and Ohio Northern in matches played in the NCAC/OAC Crossover Challenge.

In matches hosted by Ohio Northern, Wittenberg opened the day with a 3-0 win over Heidelberg by scores of 26-24, 25-21, 25-15 and closed it with a 3-1 win over the host Polar Bears by scores of 25-20, 22-25, 25-22, 25-18. Wittenberg, winners of seven of its last eight matches heading into a North Coast Athletic Conference Tournament match against Denison on Tuesday, November 7, improved to 13-13 with the wins.

Heidelberg ended the regular season with a record of 18-15, while Ohio Northern stands at 16-9 heading into postseason play.

After a tight first set against Heidelberg won by the Tigers 26-24, Wittenberg picked up steam in the second and third sets to pull away. Senior Tyler Linkhart (Yellow Springs, Ohio/Yellow Springs) led the offense with 14 kills and a .400 attack percentage, while sophomore Alana Bartulovic (Cleveland, Ohio/Notre Dame Cathedral Latin) added 12 kills, and freshman Kait Colahan (Vermilion, Ohio/Vermilion) chipped in with seven kills on 10 swings for a stellar .500 attack percentage.

Senior Mack Ricketts (Morrow, Ohio/Little Miami) dished out 34 assists and added three service aces, and the defense was keyed by sophomore Ally White (Harrison, Ohio/Harrison) with 22 digs.

Colahan was the standout in the day's second match as she posted a tremendous stat line of 16 kills, a .519 attack percentage, and six blocks. Sophomore Kaili Worcester (Powell, Ohio/Olentangy Liberty) added 10 kills, Linkhart contributed nine kills, and junior Kendall Black (Defiance, Ohio/Defiance) rounded out a balanced offensive performance with eight kills. Ricketts was solid in distribution again with 45 assists, and White led four players in double figures for digs with 27.