Volleyball

A scene worth repeating: Erin Slattery '10 sets Kate Snead '10

Few collegiate athletic programs can claim to be disappointed with a second round loss in the NCAA Tournament, but then again, few collegiate athletic programs have enjoyed a sustained run of success like that of the Wittenberg University volleyball team. Last year’s heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Ohio Northern in the second round of the NCAA Division III Tournament ended a three-year run of national semifinal finishes, and it provided plenty of motivation for the Tigers in 2009.

While four of the team’s seven starters received diplomas in Commencement Hollow in May, the returning nucleus of letterwinners appears well prepared to pick up where they left off. Leading the charge is senior setter Erin Slattery (Chagrin Falls, Ohio/Kenston), a 2008 first-team All-NCAC honoree and a key figure in the Tigers’ offensive attack for three years running.

Slattery will once again share setting duties with senior Kendall Obreza (Gainesville, Fla./Oak Hall), who stepped into the rotation for the first time a year ago and contributed 430 assists to the attack.

Also returning to the starting line-up is senior outside hitter Leslie Clark (Marion, Ohio/Harding), who made the most of her first full year in the rotation with 83 kills and 273 digs, third-most on the team in 2008. She was a key to the Tigers’ defense a year ago, ranking second on the team with 424 service receptions.

Returning letterwinners also battling for playing time on the left side of the attack in 2009 are sophomores Kimmie Dyer (Copley, Ohio/Copley) and Ellen Kortesoja (Ann Arbor, Mich./Huron) and senior Katherine Yuskewich (Columbus, Ohio/Watterson). They will be joined by several members of the 2009 recruiting class, including sophomore Hillary Monnin (Russia, Ohio/Russia), who was an honorable mention all-conference standout at Thomas More a year ago.

Rounding out the returning starters is senior middle hitter Kate Snead (Westerville, Ohio/North), who earned all-region honors in 2008 after she ranked second on the team in kills (220) and blocks (81). Sophomore Katie Sumner (Dublin, Ohio/Watterson) also returns seeing extensive action off the bench in 2008, and sophomore Miranda Sagle (Springfield, Ohio/Shawnee) also is in the mix.

On the right-side, the Tigers have plenty of options as they attempt to replace one of the finest players in school history, three-time All-American Jackie Williams. Sophomores Christine Simpson (Dublin, Ohio/Scioto), Elyse Adams (Hudson, Ohio/Hudson) and Catherine Farny (Fort Wayne, Ind./Concordia Lutheran) both saw meaningful minutes during the 2008 season, as did junior Amy Cox (Newark, Ohio/Catholic).

Finally, the libero position is wide open after record-setting four-year starter Laura Fender completed her eligibility in 2008. Several players from the aforementioned 10-player recruiting class are in competition for the spot.

The Tigers, picked to win their 14th NCAC regular season and tournament titles in the last 15 years by the conference coaches in a preseason poll, face a challenging schedule befitting the preseason ninth-ranked team in the nation. Among the highlights are matches against regional powerhouses Mount St. Joseph, Thomas More and Ohio Northern and tournaments at Heidelberg and Trinity (Texas).

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