ADRIAN, Mich. - On Friday evening, the Adrian men's volleyball team will begin its 2022 conference slate, traveling south to Springfield, Ohio to challenge Wittenberg University.

In 2021, the Bulldogs (3-10) finished with an even 8-8 record against Midwest Collegiate Volleyball League (MCVL) opponents, including two three-set sweeps against the Tigers.

Then-junior Tedrick Gula and then-freshman Chase Heuer were two of the black and gold's primary catalysts during their regular-season series with Wittenberg. The duo combined for 32 kills, 29 digs, three blocks and three service aces to help the 'Dogs to their pair of victories.

This season, Heuer and Gula continue to be among Adrian's top attackers. Through February 9, Heuer ranks at the top of the MCVL with 166 total kills, while Gula sits at eighth with 73.

Not far behind the conference's leading killer is fellow sophomore Andrew Gawrisch, who has compiled 116 successful attacks behind a 0.258 hitting-percentage. The Illinois-native is also one of four Bulldogs actively ranked inside the league's top five in total digs (76), tied with Brandon Ravelo for first, who, furthermore, has dished out a conference-best 461 assists.

Wittenberg (4-5) is coming off of a three-game weekend in Pennsylvania, during which it lost consecutive matches to Nazareth and Penn State Altoona.

The trio Russ Burke, Dominic Melchiorre and Chris Goertz lead the Tigers with 72, 64 and 58 kills, respectively. The first of the three also ranks fifth in MCVL with a 2.29 digs per set average.

All told, Wittenberg is sporting a 0.146 attack-percentage, which is just narrowly behind Adrian's 0.168.

Friday's match-up will be the two program's eighth all-time meeting. The Tigers currently lead the series with four wins, including three on their home floor.

Live stats and video will be available for the match. Opening serve is set for 6 p.m.