Sydney Fitzcharles

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – The College of Wooster volleyball team had a chance to hand a second North Coast Athletic Conference rival its first league setback on Saturday afternoon, but host Wittenberg University downed the Fighting Scots in straight sets 25-20, 25-11, 25-14 at Pam Evans Smith Arena.

Wooster (9-13) logged a higher hitting percentage (.219) than Wittenberg (12-7, 5-0 NCAC) (.205) in the opening set. First-year Haley Nash gave Wooster's percentage a big boost with four kills on 10 swings, the final of which came at 21-18. Sophomore Brooke Swain's kill on the next point made it a two-point set, and Wooster was within one after Katie Hiestand's attack error. Back-to-back kills by Aubrey Cox headlined Wittenberg's set-closing 4-0 run.

Wittenberg, winners of the last 13 conference crowns, heated up in the second set. Hiestand's commanding presence led the way for the Tigers, as the sophomore middle put down six kills on 13 swings to pair with five digs in the set. Hiestand, who finished with a match-high 14 kills, added four to her stat line in the third set.

Wooster had four players log double-digit digs, with Nash's 14 leading the way. The Scots' rookie's six kills marked the team-high as well.

Hiestand finished with a double-double with her 14 digs trailing Taylor Yontz's 19.

Next, Wooster returns home for a 7 p.m. match versus Kenyon College (5-16, 2-3 NCAC) on Wednesday, October 23.