LISLE, IL-The Tigers traveled to Illinois to take on Benedictine, which was receiving votes in the most recent top 25 poll. Wittenberg was able to keep every set close, but the Tigers ended up falling in three sets, 25-20, 25-17 and 25-23. With the loss, Wittenberg goes to 7-5 on the season, while Benedictine improves to 4-4 on the season.
In the first set, Wittenberg took a five-point lead, 16-11, but the Eagles fought back and took the lead at 18-19 and continued their run. The Tigers were unable to scrap their way back in, losing set one, 25-20.
In the second, Wittenberg was able to go back and forth, but once the score reached 15-12 in favor of the Eagles, they went on another long run and ran away with set two, 25-17.
The third set was back and forth all the way through and for a moment, it looked as if the Tigers were going to be able to force a fourth set, leading 20-19, before the Eagles once again fought back to tie the match at 23, then won the next two points to take the set and match.
Team Leaders
- Eli Halverson (Hamilton, OH / Badin), Adam Blair (West Chester, OH / Lakota West) and Michael Yurk (Indianapolis, IN / Bishop Chatard) each shared the team lead in kills with ten each.
- Gavin Hagerty (Fishers, IN / Fishers) led the team in assists, with 17 in total, while Carson Hill (Liberty Township, OH / Lakota East) chipped in with six of his own.
- Halverson, Sam Richardson (Akron, OH / Walsh Jesuit) and Zach Newton (Morgantown, WV / Franklin Community) each ended the match with one service ace.
- Blair and Reese Monnin (Xenia, OH / Carroll) each finished off the night with one total block apeice.
- Hill and Jake Downs (Cincinnati, OH / Milford) led the team with six digs over the course of the match as well.
- Blair and Halverson led the team with 11 points and Yurk was just behind with 10 points of his own.
Team Comparison
- Benedictine led in all stats, but the Tigers kept it close in a few, trailing in kills 36-38 and service aces 3-4 and digs as well, 31-34.
The Tigers next match is Saturday, February 8th at 1:00 PM against Augustana and then they take on MSOE later on in the day at 8:30 PM as well.