Tigers Drop Washington University National Invitational Opener

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The murderer's row of early season opponents continued for the Wittenberg volleyball team, which found itself on the short end of a 3-0 score against Pacific Lutheran on the first day of the Washington University/ASICS National Invitational.

The Tigers, ranked No. 3 in the American Volleyball Coaches Association preseason poll, dropped to 1-3 on the 2013 season. Pacific Lutheran, which checks in at No. 21, improved to 2-3.

Pacific Lutheran jumped on top in the opening set 25-20, pulling away down the stretch by winning six of the last seven points. With Wittenberg poised to pull even in the second set, PLU pulled off a stunning rally, scoring seven straight points to rally from a 24-17 deficit and eventually capture a most unlikely 27-25 decision. The momentum carried over in the third set as PLU jumped out to a big lead midway through and coasted to a 25-19 final score.

Wittenberg was paced offensively by senior Andrea Behling (Columbus, Ind./North) and sophomore Brooke Barney (Columbus, Ohio/Worthington Kilbourne), each with nine kills, while freshman Emily Kahlig (Coldwater, Ohio/Coldwater) added eight. Junior setter Meghan Vodopich (Canton, Ohio/Massillon Perry) finished with six kills in 12 attempts to go along with 28 assists, 11 digs and three blocks.

No rest for the weary as the Tigers return to action Saturday with a pair of challenging matches. First up is longtime rival Ohio Northern, followed by host Washington University, ranked No. 7 nationally.