Box Score
Pam Briggs Bio

Game Program

COLUMBUS – Capital University head volleyball coach Pam Briggs recorded her 400th career victory Wednesday as the Crusaders defeated Ohio Wesleyan 25-17, 25-14, 25-18 in a non-conference contest at the Capital Center.

Briggs, who is in her 20th season as head coach, is the 38th head coach in NCAA Division III history to reach the historic mark. She is a three-time Ohio Athletic Conference Coach of the Year and has guided Capital to two OAC regular season titles, a conference tournament championship and two NCAA Tournament appearances.

"It took many, many wonderful athletes who've come through the program to get to that number," Briggs said. "Just thinking about all the faces who've come through Capital … they've all been tremendous women.

"I'm so blessed to have two players on my staff this year. So many of my women are out there, and it's so nice to know they're supporting Capital. They want to give back to the university, and I'm so proud to have them in my life."

The Crusaders (2-8 overall) jumped on Ohio Wesleyan at the start of the match, riding the serve of freshman Becca DeWitt (Springfield, Ohio) to an 11-6 lead en route to a first-set win.

Capital made an early run on the serve of freshman Katie Weilbacher (Grove City, Ohio) in the second set and eventually held a commanding 22-9 advantage. In the third, the Battling Bishops (7-4) scored the first four points, but the Crusaders quickly evened the match following a timeout and closed out the match in three sets.

"Ohio Wesleyan runs a great program, and it keeps building every year," Briggs said. "We've had competition where we've been moving fast, and getting balls back to us fast. We've struggled with that competition, but we knew that would prepare us for games like this."

Sophomore Marissa Price (Tiffin, Ohio) paced a balanced Capital attack with nine kills, followed closely by middle hitters Melissa Verhoff (Ottawa, Ohio) and Olivia Arledge (Frankfort, Ohio), who each totaled eight.

Senior libero Shannon Quinn (Miamisburg, Ohio) led the defense with 21 digs, while sophomore Kelly Leonard (Cincinnati, Ohio) and freshman Natalie Briggs (Pataskala, Ohio) combined for 27.

Weilbacher littered the box score with 18 assists, eight digs and four kills.

Following the match, players and assistant coaches presented Briggs with flowers, balloons and the game ball.

The Crusaders return to action this weekend at the Manchester Tournament in Manchester, Ind. Capital takes on Anderson (Ind.) Friday at 5 p.m. followed by a showdown with host Manchester at 7 p.m.