Tournament Results Wittenberg lost Cleveland State, 0-2 (16-30, 30-32) Wittenberg def. Buffalo, 2-0 (30-25, 33-31) Wittenberg def. Ashland, 2-1 (30-22, 27-30, 15-13) Wittenberg lost Grand Valley State (Semifinals), 0-2 (21-30, 24-30)

KENT, Ohio - The Wittenberg Volleyball team entered Saturday's tournament at Kent State with a new look, new offense, lots of new faces...but the same championship attitude that has kept the Tigers near the top of the Division III volleyball world for more than a decade.

The Red and White started six freshmen in the tournament, which included all NCAA Division I and II teams in an eight-team field. The Tigers were working with a new offensive system, which includes the use of two setters who split time setting from the back row, while an attacker subs into the front row for them.

"The "6-2" offense made sense with this team," explained Head Volleyball Coach Paco Labrador. "I have two setters who are athletic and competitive and two big right sides who block very well and can attack a variety of shots. They sub for each other so we always have three attackers in the front row."

Standout freshman Emily Bell picked up where two-time All-America senior Monica McDonald left off at the outside hitter position, finishing the day as the Tigers' highest point scorer.

"Emily has worked hard in the weight room and now she is enjoying the benefits. She is a very powerful hitter," Labrador said.

Junior right side Linda Young turned heads during the day with impressive blocking and hitting.

"Linda has always been an excellent blocker," Labrador said. "She can really shut down an opposing left side hitter." Young finished the day as the second highest point scorer for the Tigers.

Team captain and junior middle Emily Dixon rounded out the day's gutty performances, playing the four matches with a partially torn rotator cuff.

"It was hard for Emily to tip and off-speed all day, but she got some great experience developing that part of her game," Labrador said. "She will be a better, more deceptive hitter next fall because of it."

Overall Coach Labrador was pleased with the day's performance. "I like to play D1 and D2 teams in the Spring," he said. "There are no easy points and the speed of the game challenges us defensively on every play. We kept up really well."

The Tigers will round out their Spring with another two weeks of practices. "This tournament was great for us to find out where we need work," Labrador concluded. "Now we can focus on a few important areas before we wrap up spring season."

2005 Volleyball Schedule