Kristen Hughes had eight kills to tie for the team lead against Wittenberg.

Fifth ranked Wittenberg withstood a second and third set charge by the Denison Big Red en route to a 3-0 (25-16, 25-18, 25-20) victory on Friday night from Livingston Gymnasium on the campus of Denison University.

After a nine point loss in the first set the Big Red rebounded in the second set and took an 11-8 lead following a kill that was slammed home by first-year middle hitter Megan Early (Findlay, Ohio/Van Buren).  The Tigers, who have not lost a set in conference play this season, would rally for the 25-18 victory.

In the final set Wittenberg would take the early 5-0 lead but a DU charge would cut the Tiger lead to one at 19-18.  From there Wittenberg would score six of the next eight points to seal up an perfect 16-0 record in conference play this season.

Denison was led by Early, Sara Mason (Lakewood, Ohio/Lakewood) and Kristen Hughes (Dowington, Pa./Bishop Shanahan) who all finished with eight kills.  Early also tallied three blocks and Holly Leonard (Evanston, Ill./Evanston Township) finished with 15 digs.  Setters Ali Trotter (Cincinnati, Ohio/Turpin) and Claire Koneval (Solon, Ohio/Solon) combined for 34 assists.

The Big Red drop to 10-17 and 7-8 in the NCAC.  They will close out the 2008 season on Saturday (Nov. 1) when they travel to the Collge of Wooster for an 11 a.m. match.