Women’s Volleyball Falls Short Against Transylvania
LEXINGTON, KY – It was a hard-fought battle, but Wittenberg's women's volleyball team fell short of a victory against host team Transylvania University at the Transy Invite on Saturday, Aug. 30, at the Clive M. Beck Center.
Nip and tuck throughout, the two teams were evenly matched. Wittenberg put a scare into the Pioneers, taking the first set, then playing tough in each of the next three, only to fall just shy of the win, losing 3-1 in scores of 25-18, 23-25, 21-25, and 22-25.
The victory over Wittenberg was the Pioneers' first of the season after losing to both Berry College and Wartburg College on Friday, giving them a record of 1-2. After claiming its sixth-straight Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) tournament title in 2024, Transylvania was picked to finish first in its conference this season. Wittenberg drops to 1-2 on the season with the loss.
The stats were again close with Transy outscoring the Tigers 93-91. Wittenberg registered 44 kills on 146 total attacks, turned in 42 assists, nine service aces, 60 digs, and seven blocks. The Pioneers landed 53 kills on 147 total attacks, had 50 assists, five service aces, 66 digs, and two blocks.
Leading stats for Wittenberg included Clare O'Malley (Avon, OH / St. Joseph's Academy) with 11 kills on 27 total attacks, three blocks, and 12.5 points. Alana Bartulovic (Cleveland, OH / Notre Dame Cathedral Latin) added nine kills on 26 total attacks, two blocks, and 9.5 points. Sam Fincham (Springfield, OH / Kenton Ridge) and Kaili Worcester (Powell, OH / Olentangy Liberty) had eight kills each. Worcester also had a team-high eight digs and three service aces. Mary Sulfridge (South Charleston, OH / Southeastern) led the team in assists with 36. She also had three blocks and six digs. Piper Ricketts (Morrow, OH / Little Miami) had three aces and added six digs.
Next up for the Tigers will be another road trip on Friday, Sept. 5, at 7:30 p.m. vs. Calvin in the NCAC/MIAA Challenge at Ohio Wesleyan in Delaware, Ohio, and against Hope on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 12:30 p.m., followed by Albion at 3 p.m.
Written By: Cindy Holbrook