Jake Haubner ‘16
The women’s volleyball team came into the weekend on a two game win streak and were looking to crack the .500 mark and get back to their dominating ways. The Lady Tigers did this by opening up their first NCAC part of the schedule on September 20 versus Oberlin University. The Tigers made quick work of Oberlin, winning 3-0. Andrea Behling led the way with 9 kills in the match and a .333 hitting percentage. Emily Kahlig chipped in with 6 kills and two blocks. Meghan Vodopich continued her great season with another solid performance with 25 assists. The Tigers have defeated Oberlin in their last 35 meetings. This streak goes back all the way to 1989.
The Tigers also took on conference foe Wooster the next day. The Tigers, once again, made quick work of them winning in 3 games. Emily Kahlig led the way with 10 kills coming from Megan Vodopich 25 assists in the game. Katie Zito also played well chipping in with 14 digs and 3 service aces. The Tigers extended the NCAC win streak to 37 straight games. Their last loss to a NCAC opponent was in 2010. Going into the NCAC schedule, Andrea Behling was asked about trying to keep the streak alive.
Andrea Behling said “We want to win every game, despite if it is a NCAC opponent or not.” Certainly the Tigers have done that so far; no NCAC team has won even a game against the Lady Tigers after the two dominating 3-0 victories.
Megan Vodopich was named the NCAC Player of week last week. She received the honor because of her dominating performance at the Wittenberg Fall Classic. She had 85 assists on the weekend, including one game of 35 assists. Vodopich has been having a great start to the season. She gives the credit to the large number of good hitters on the team. Megan Vodopich is the only Wittenberg Athlete to receive this honor so far this year.
Despite Wittenberg’s poor record, they are still ranked No. 13 by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. All five of the Tiger’s losses this year have been to Top 25 teams in the nation. They play one of the toughest non-conference schedules.
Megan Vodopich commented on the tough schedule in an interview, “We now know where bar is set.”
The Tigers have their eyes set on the national championship and have played against the best competition. They will use the conference to sharpen up and will continue to prepare for the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers will travel to Transylvania next weekend to take on Rose-Hulman and Transylvania. The next home competition will be the Alumni game on October 5. The next home volleyball regular game will not be until October 19.