NCAC Weekly Release (9-10-12) - Volleyball

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North Coast volleyball squads put together yet another successful week of competition with an overall record of 26-10 in non-conference matches. Wittenberg (0-0, 6-0) continues to carry over its success from last season’s National Championship run as the Tigers ran the table at the Juniata College Asics Invitational, defeating three nationally-ranked opponents.

ALLEGHENY posted a 1-3 record at the W&J Invitational with its lone victory coming against Pitt.-Greensburg in straight sets. Freshman Sarah Swartz (Pittsburgh, PA/North Allegheny) shined for the Gators over the weekend, totaling 15 kills and 12 blocks (2 solo, 10 assists), including four kills, five digs and five set assists in the victory over Pitt.-Greensburg.

DENISON continued one of its best starts in program history after defeating Capital, 3-2, in its home-opener on Wednesday and posting a 3-1 mark at the W&J Invitational. Freshman Kenzie Kuhn (Naperville, IL/Benet Acad.) posted 57 kills and 22 blocks (17 solo, 5 assists) in 17 sets, while freshman Elena Lein (Athens, OH/Athens) logged 52 kills and 24 blocks (18 solo, 6 assists) in 20 sets.

DEPAUW extended its current win streak to six-straight by sweeping four matches at the Rose-Hulman Tournament. Sophomore Mary Kate Etling (Terre Haute, IN/North) was named to the All-Tournament Team after totaling 45 kills, 17 blocks (2 solo, 15 assists), 11 digs and four service aces.

HIRAM opened the week with a 3-1 triumph over John Carroll in University Heights, Ohio, and defended its home court over the weekend with a 3-1 record at the Hiram Invitational. Senior Ariel Pund (Macedonia, OH/Walsh Jesuit) led the Terriers on the week with 64 kills, 48 digs, 7 blocks (1 solo, 6 assists), three service aces and two set assists.

KENYON competed in a tri-match at PSU-Behrend on Saturday, defeating St. Vincent, 3-2, before falling to PSU-Behrend, 3-0, in the nightcap. Junior Sierra DeLeon (Upper Marlboro, MD/Maret School) logged 27 kills, seven digs and one solo block in eight total sets.

OBERLIN dropped a 3-0 decision against Baldwin-Wallace on Wednesday before going 3-1 over the weekend at the Earlham College Invitational, defeating Franklin, Finlandia and Wilmington, before falling to host Earlham in five sets. Sophomore Jenna Bange (Cincinnati, OH/Walnut Hills) led the Yeowomen with 144 set assists, 39 digs 17 kills and five service aces last week.

OHIO WESLEYAN opened play last week with a straight-set setback against Muskingum on Wednesday, but the Battling Bishops rebounded by posting a 3-1 record to capture the team title at the Earlham College Invitational, defeating IU-Kokomo, Finlandia and Earlham. Senior setter Brittany Vickers (Newark, OH/Utica) racked up 145 total assists (8.06/set) in five matches last week for the Bishops.

WITTENBERG made a strong statement at the Juniata College Asics Invitational with a 3-0 record, highlighted by a 3-1 victory over No. 1 Christopher Newport in a re-match of the 2011 National Championship match. The Tigers also logged victories over No. 9 Juniata, 3-2, and No. 16 Puget Sound, 3-1, at the event. Four of the Tigers six victories this season have come against squads that were ranked in the AVCA Top 25 Poll at the date of the match. Senior libero Christina Gilene (Milford, OH/McNicholas) was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player after logging 71 digs and just three reception errors in 91 chances (.967). In addition, Tiger head coach Paco Labrador surpassed the 300-win mark over the weekend as his career record now stands at 302-41.

WOOSTER improved to 5-3 overall after going 3-1 at the Marcia French Memorial Invitational, defeating Westminster, Baldwin-Wallace and Buffalo St., while suffering its only defeat against Case. Senior libero Kelley Johnson (Orrville, OH/Orrville) was named to the All-Tournament Team after hauling in 135 digs in 16 sets for an average of 8.44 digs per set.