7 p.m. -- #1 Wittenberg (34-7) def. #2 Mount St. Joseph (31-7)
3-0 (30-26, 30-18, 30-24) - Box Score

For the Wittenberg University Tigers, the fourth time was the charm. After three previous trips to the NCAA Division III Great Lakes Regional championship match, the Tigers finally broke through on Saturday by defeating Mount St. Joseph 3-0. It ended a run of two straight regional titles for the Lions.

Wittenberg picked up the big points at the big moments, especially when sophomore outside hitter Monica McDonald was on serve. In the decisive third game, in particular, McDonald's jump serve wreaked havoc as the Tigers went on three different three-point runs at key moments. The Tigers, the No. 1 seed and third-ranked team in the nation in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association poll, got 21 kills from McDonald. They also picked up 52 assists from sophomore setter Sarah Yuskewich, as well as four digs, three block assists and a crucial solo block during the last of the aforementioned three-point runs in the third game. In addition, senior outside hitter Teresa Murphy had 11 kills and a game-high 25 digs.

Mount St. Joseph, the No. 2 seed that was making a fourth straight appearance in the regional title match, got 13 kills from Tammi Toney. But the Lions managed a kill percentage of just .173, compared to Wittenberg's .309. Setting the plays up were Meghan Meador with 23 assists and Molly Middendorf with 19 assists. Four Lions players finished in double figures in digs, led by Jayne Kemphaus with 14.

Wittenberg now advances to the national quarterfinals and a date with the winner of the Midwest Regional at 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 23.