Volleyball

Jackie Williams (14) and Brittany Steinbrecher (3) are among 19 returning letterwinners for the Tigers in 2007.

On the heels of back-to-back NCAA Division III Tournament semifinal appearances, the Wittenberg University volleyball program is hungry for more. With five seniors providing veteran leadership and a whopping 19 letterwinners back in the fold in 2007, more may be what they get.

The Tigers have ranked in the top five in each of the last three American Volleyball Coaches Association final rankings, and every starter is back off the 2006 squad that tied a school record with 35 victories. Head Coach Paco Labrador, who has a 132-23 record in four years on the bench, hopes the near misses of the last two seasons will motivate this experienced unit to achieve Wittenberg's first-ever national title in any women's sport.

Leading the charge in 2007, as they have each of the last two years, are outside hitters Emily Bell (Fort Wayne, Ind./Concordia Lutheran) and Jan Kehres (Alliance, Ohio/Alliance). Bell will go down as one of the all-time greats in Wittenberg volleyball history as she already ranks in the top 10 for career kills and digs. A tremendous all-around player, Bell is a two-time All-North Coast Athletic, All-Great Lakes Region and honorable mention All-America performer. Kehres has been the perfect all-around complement to Bell after learning the ropes as a reserve in her freshman campaign.

Also on the outside, junior Jackie Williams (Rocky River, Ohio/Magnificat) returns after leading the Tigers in kills and attack percentage each of the last two seasons. The 2005 NCAC Newcomer of the Year, Williams earned first-team all-conference and all-region honors a year ago. Also in the mix is senior Lindsey Penrod (Piqua, Ohio/Piqua), who has experience both as a starter and as a key reserve.

In the middle, the Tigers are led by senior Caitlin Augustus (Springfield, Ohio/Shawnee), who topped the team in blocks in 2006, her first year as a starter. She teamed with junior Jessica Kimble (Dennison, Ohio/Claymont) to form a duo that was solid both offensively and defensively. Also returning in 2007 is junior Brittany Steinbrecher (Delaware, Ohio/Hayes), who saw extensive action in the middle and on the outside throughout last season.

Setting things up again in 2007 will be the duo of senior Sarah Matesich (Granville, Ohio/Newark Catholic) and sophomore Erin Slattery (Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Kenston), the 2006 NCAC Newcomer of the Year. Matesich has topped the Tigers in assists each of the last two years and ranks in the top 10 in school history for career assists. Her leadership is key to the team's success and chemistry. Slattery gained confidence as her freshman season wore on, and an offseason spent building chemistry with her teammates in the spring and on the team tour of Spain have paid off handsomely.

Rounding things out, the Tiger defense is anchored by junior libero Laura Fender (Toledo, Ohio/St. Ursula), the team leader in digs each of the last two years.

Nine other returning letterwinners and three highly touted freshmen are also on the Tigers' well-stocked roster (2007 Wittenberg Tiger Volleyball Freshman Class Bios). The season opens with the first of three home tournaments, and the schedule includes a trip to a tournament at Washington University, the 2006 national runner-up, and a home match in October against 2006 national champion Juniata.

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