Along with host Wittenberg, competing in this year’s invitational are Case Western Reserve University, Elmhurst College, Muskingum College, Mt. Union College and Ohio Northern University. Three of these teams are nationally ranked in the latest NCAA Division III American Volleyball Coaches Association poll – Elmhurst (2), Ohio Northern (14) and Wittenberg (12). All of them are at least ranked among the top 10 in their respective regions.

"We are thrilled about hosting a tournament of this caliber," said Wittenberg head coach Connie Surowicz, now in her seventh season with the Tigers. "The level of competition will be very intense, and we are excited to see how we will stack up."

Wittenberg will also be hosting a new volleyball tournament this year called the Wittenberg National Invitational. Scheduled to take place on Friday, Oct. 12 and Saturday, Oct. 13, that competition will feature Juniata University, ranked No. 7 in the country and a Final Four participant in 2000, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, ranked No. 4 in the country and a national finalist a year ago, the College of Mt. St. Joseph, ranked No. 5 in the country and winner of five straight matches the last two years against Wittenberg, Thomas More College and the host Tigers, winners of the last four North Coast Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles.

The Tigers head into tonight’s game at Earlham with a 9-3 record, including a perfect 2-0 mark in the NCAC. In their first two tournaments of the regular season, the Tigers were second at Mt. St. Joseph and second at Elmhurst. They are currently riding a three-match win streak, all against NCAC opposition.