Wittenberg Women's Volleyball Fall Classic
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — Illinois Tech had a successful outing during the Wittenberg Women's Volleyball Fall Classic, securing victories against Ohio Wesleyan and Capital University. The Scarlet Hawks defeated Ohio Wesleyan 3-1, winning the match with scores of 20-25, 25-23, 25-20, and 25-19, before sweeping Capital University 3-0 with scores of 25-12, 25-22, and 25-18. The Scarlet Hawks finished the weekend 2-1 overall, dropping their opening match against host Wittenberg 3-1 on Friday.
How It Happened
In the first match against Ohio Wesleyan, Illinois Tech fell behind early, dropping the first set. However, they rallied back, showcasing resilience and determination. After trading points, a series of kills and blocks brought them back into the match, allowing Illinois Tech to take three consecutive sets and claim victory. Key moments included a late surge in the second set and a strong finish in the fourth, propelled by effective serving and strong defensive plays.
Against Capital University, Illinois Tech dominated from the start, taking an early lead and never looking back. The Scarlet Hawks' offensive firepower was evident, with a series of kills and service aces that kept the Comets at bay. The second set tested their resolve but Illinois Tech maintained composure to secure the win. The third set saw them overpower Capital, finishing the match decisively.
Scarlet Hawk Standouts
**
Karla Trautmann Mendez**
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- Match 1: 16.0 points, 12 kills, 14 digs, 4 total blocks
- Match 2: 9 kills, 4 solo blocks, 13.0 points
**
Olivia McMath**
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- Match 1: 33 assists, 10 digs, 5 total blocks, including 2 solo, 1 service ace
- Match 2: 17 assists, 8 digs, 1 service ace
**
Annalise Clark**
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- Match 1: 20 digs, 3 assists
- Match 2: 8 digs, 2 service aces, 3 assists
**
Lilia Donaldson**
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- Match 1: 10 kills with no errors on 19 attempts, .526 hitting percentage, 3 total blocks, 11.5 points
- Match 2: 8 kills, contributing significantly to the offensive effort
**
Victoria Aspurez**
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- Match 1: 9 kills with 1 error on 25 attempts, .320 hitting percentage, 5 total blocks, 12.5 points
- Match 2: 7 kills on .357 hitting, 2 service aces, 10.0 points
Opponents' Top Performers
**Ohio Wesleyan**
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- Jordanne Shannon: 19.0 points, 17 kills, 3 blocks
- Jenna Ashbrook: 40 assists, 9 digs
- Natalie Dieball: 11 kills, 12 digs, 2 service aces
**Capital University**
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- Chloe Preocanin: 7 kills, 7 digs, 1 service ace
- Stefanee Stacey: 9 assists, 10 digs, 1 service ace
- Ava Knight: 6 kills, 8 digs, 1 service ace
Match Notes
- In the matchup against Ohio Wesleyan, this was the first meeting since September 2014, with the series now tied 1-1.
- The match against Capital University marked the first-ever meeting between the Comets and Illinois Tech women's volleyball.
Up Next
Illinois Tech hosts Carthage College on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, at 6 p.m. at the Keating Sports Center.
