#2 Oshkosh sweeps #8 Wittenberg

In the opener of the highly anticipated Trinity (TX) National Invitational, No. 2 UW Oshkosh swept No. 8 Wittenberg. Set scores were 25-21, 25-16, 26-24. Here is a link to the Wittenberg side of things and the box score. Wittenberg was swept for the third time in the last three years.

All-American middle Jacque Ray led Oshkosh with 12 kills and four blocks while Katelyn Vara led with 33 assists, four blocks and two aces. Outside Katie Beining had nine kills on .471 hitting.

No. 1 Juniata swept the other first-day match over the host, No. 18 Trinity. Set scores were 25-15, 25-23, 25-23.

The stage is set for tomorrow’s big ones, although only the Trinity match will be counted in the all-important regional rankings. The other two matches – today’s sweep and the one against No. 1 Juniata – are important measuring sticks.

Tomorrow’s schedule: No. 1 Juniata (28-2) vs. No. 8 Wittenberg (22-5), 10 a.m. No. 2 UW Oshkosh (32-1) vs. No. 18 Trinity (24-9), 12:30 p.m. No. 1 Juniata vs. No. 2 UW Oshkosh, 3 p.m. No. 8 Wittenberg vs. No. 18 Trinity, 5:30 p.m.

Juniata swept Oshkosh in the 2008 NCAA Tournament quarterfinals. This will be JC’s second 1 vs. 2 matchup of the year. Then-No. 2 Juniata beat then-No. 1 Emory, 3-1, in mid-September.

-Ricky Nelson