2008 UD Women's Volleyball Preview

DAYTON (OH) -- With great talent comes great expectations. That’s where the UD women’s volleyball team now finds itself after a 33-2 (12-1) season and NCAA 2nd round appearance that set all kinds of records for achievement. With four A10 titles and four NCAA berths in the last five seasons, it’s no surprise the University of Maryland was impressed with Tim Horsmon’s success. It was a tough decision, but the Maryland native left UD in the spring to do to for the Terp program what he did so well at Dayton. Enter Kelly Sheffield, the man chosen to take the program from where it is now to where it still aspires to be. The former Albany head coach impressed the Flyer administration in the hiring process by doing well at a program with far less going for it. Can he take the inherent pluses at UD and raise the bar?

To do it in 2008, Sheffield must replace several key talents who left UD far better than they found it -- including Horsmon himself who amazingly got passed over for 2007 A10 Coach of the Year. But the Flyer slights didn’t stop there. Jamie-Lee Richards got duped out of the A10 Player of the Year honor while Adrienne Green was passed over for Libero of the Year. Her sister Robynne was an equally important cog in the memorable season but, like Adrienne, whiffed entirely on the postseason All-Conference selections. Richards did find herself on the first team alongside Bethany Akerhielm to salvage some respect, but the bias was never more apparent against a UD program that did nothing but win 33 matches and earn a national ranking – far more than other conference foes.

RETURNEES

Finding a way to replace a trio as talented as Richards and the Green sisters is not for the faint of heart, but Sheffield does inherit a team with experience in the right places. Front and center is 2nd Team All A10 selection Erin Schroeder, a career starter at setter and proverbial point guard for the Flyers. Schroeder was as important as any Flyer last year and racked up assists faster than John Stockton. Now a senior, she’s the perfect transition piece for Sheffield to lean on.

While Richards pounded away kills at the net, she did have help – a lot of it. Much of it came from fellow A10 1st team selection Akierhelm who finished third in kills (2.6 per game) while leading the team in blocks (136). Akierhelm’s running mate was freshman sensation Lindsay Fletemier, the 2007 A10 Rookie of the Year. Fletemier used her size to finish 2nd in kills (3.1 per game) and blocks (122). With the 6-4 Akierhelm and 6-6 Fletemier patrolling the front line, their imposing size caused all kinds of problems for opposing teams both offensively and defensively. Fletemier spent much of the offseason taking care of injuries however and could be less than full strength as the season starts.

The injury bug continues however. Senior outside hitter Kortney Norris started all 35 matches last year and finished 3rd in blocks and digs. But reports indicate her status remains questionable and could be season-threatening. The same goes for sophomore talent Yvonne Martin who finished 3rd in blocks and 5th in kills as a true freshman last year. While UD is always tight-lipped on injuries because of HIPPA constraints, we do know team health has been a major hurdle in the offseason and could play a major role in this year’s prospects.

Junior Chelsy Christoff saw action in all 35 matches last year with 31 starts. One of the best servers on the team, she finished with 39 service aces – something the Flyers worked exceedingly hard at improving over the last two seasons. The defensive-minded Christoff also finished 4th in digs and can spend time pulling jack-of-all-trades duty at Libero. She’s a safe bet for another solid year in the starting lineup.

Look for sophomore Tiffany Gaerke to make a big step forward in 2008. While she appeared in just 22 games over 13 matches, the former Top-100 prep recruit has all the tools to develop into a dangerous outside hitter. The traffic jam at her position in 2007 allowed her to learn the ropes at a comfortable pace. Now that playing time is more probable, it’s her chance to take advantage of it.

Alter product Mandy Robbe enters her senior year with a chance to move from one of the first players off the bench to the starting lineup. The defensive specialist will be called upon to fill the hole left by the Green sisters in the back line. She appeared in 26 matches last year and 99 of 119 matches as a sophomore in 2006. She has experience and as part of the senior class should provide quality leadership skills.

Kacie Hausfeld, another Alter Knight, saw action in 22 games as a freshman and performed backup duty for Erin Schroeder at setter. While Schroeder should still get the bulk of the touches, even she had to wait for her opportunity behind other talented Flyer setters. Hausfeld is learning from one of the best and should be well-positioned to challenge for the job in her final two seasons.

Perhaps best suited to replace Adrienne Green at Libero is senior Nicole Bateman, the one-time Louisville Cardinal who transferred to UD in 2006 and made an immediate impact. She finished 2nd in digs and 3rd in kills in her first season, started 35 matches and 118 games as a junior in 2007, and has a chance to be All-Conference as a senior. Primarily a defensive specialist, the 5-10 Columbus native has the perfect blend of back line skills and offensive instincts to be UD’s next capable all-rounder.

Becky Novacek, a sophomore, spent much of her freshman season learning the ropes. Appearing in 14 matches, she made the most of her time on the court with the second-best hitting percentage on the team (.304). A tremendous athlete, Novacek was a Top-100 recruit out of Pennsylvania who excelled on the hardwood, track, and volleyball court with equal aplomb. She also has great genes – her uncle is former Dallas Cowboy tight end Jay Novacek. The departure of All-Conference performers in front of her rotation should open up more opportunities to make valuable contributions going forward. All the tools are there. Playing time will take care of the rest.

The same can be said for 5-4 libero/defensive specialist Rachael Broerman of Colorado Springs. The sophomore was a two-time Colorado all-stater and has a great chance to double or triple her playing time. She appeared in 37 games and 29 matches as a true freshman and was part of UD’s much heralded Top-25 recruiting class.


NOOBS

There’s a chance one or two newcomers will surprise and push for starter minutes. The incoming class is a good one and should provide even greater depth in a program that has been developing a two-deep roster for the past couple of seasons.

Top-80 recruit Anna Eytchison has perhaps the best chance to make an early impact. The two-time All-State selection from Illinois has great size (6-3) and terrific defensive instincts at the net. Following a long line of tall, talented recruits, Eytchison fits the Flyer program like a glove. The same goes for Rachel Krabacher (6-3) of Cincinnati McAuley HS, a middle blocker/outside hitter named a prep All-American. Krabacher holds the McAuley record for kills. Valerie Akierhelm (5-8) joins her sister Bethany on the roster as a defensive specialist.

Finally, 6-3 Erinn Bickle hails from Whitby, Ontario and brings significant Canadian Junior National Development Program experience. The common thread among all of the recruits is tremendous prep credentials and/or intimidating size. It’s class that has a chance to produce several future All-Conference selections.

FLYER FOES

Dayton has done a commendable job of upgrading the schedule as the program continues to improve. The 2008 slate is challenging and affords the Flyers an opportunity to get some quality wins outside the conference.

The season opens in Tempe, AZ, against UNLV, followed by matches against SEC foe South Carolina and host Arizona State. The home opener takes place on Sep. 5, against Northwestern in the Flyer Invitational. Towson and Cleveland State round out the field. A tournament in Knoxville, TN, matches the Flyers against familiar foe Illinois, while Gardner-Webb and host Tennessee follow.

The Dayton Flyer Classic brings in Purdue, Miami, and Louisville – all three NCAA caliber programs. The Flyers then head to Albany to battle Long Island, Yale, and the host institution in a matchup pitting UD against Coach Sheffield’s former school.

Conference play begins on Oct. 3, at George Washington, followed by a road trip to Charlotte and Cincinnati. Four straight home games against Temple, LaSalle, Rhode Island, and Fordham keep the Frericks Center cooking in matches UD should be highly favored in. Four on the road follow against St. Louis, Duquesne, Xavier, and Rhode Island that will loom large in the race for the A10 regular season title. The preseason favorite Billikens and talented Muskies always look to spoil UD’s fortunes.

Four home matches against Xavier, Wright State, Duquesne, and St. Louis finish things off before the A10 postseason tournament begins in St. Louis. A postseason match against perennial Top-25 Ohio University could be a critical game should the Flyers need a signature win to pad the NCAA at-large resume’.

TALE OF THE TAPE

Any time a coaching change takes place, a lot of questions remain unanswered. Kelly Sheffield’s pedigree looks solid and from the reports passed on to us, the players like the new staff and are working hard to answer some of those unknowns. There’s no denying the fact that the prior staff and players set the bar incredibly high. Fans may never see another 33-win season no matter how talented future Flyer teams are. Still, there’s room to improve. The Flyers were outmuscled at times at the net in 2007, especially against quality defensive teams like Michigan State. The Spartans manhandled the Flyers and caused a lot of frustration in an otherwise remarkable season. While serving improved considerably last year, another step forward is needed. Dayton performed at their best when opposing teams were forced to receive a tough serve on their first touch. It kept Flyer foes off balance and allowed Dayton to finish off points in fewer touches.

UD has Top-25 size at the net, a rock-solid setter in senior Erin Schroeder, and cagey veterans like Bethany Akierhelm, Nicole Bateman, and Kortney Norris – fixtures in the starting lineup who know what it takes to be champions. Youth is served with a budding superstar Lindsay Fletemier and young talent coming up the ranks looking to capitalize on more available playing time. The incoming recruiting class is among the best in program history.

Where UD could stumble is staying healthy and staying hungry. Injuries are already making the 2008 season unnecessarily aggravating. The Flyers have the depth to withstand it, but it makes the margin for error far thinner. In 2007, Dayton’s second unit was as good as or better than most opposing starters. If UD is not at full strength, that may not be the case this year.

Will 33-2 inject complacency into the program? We hope not, and we’re even more hopeful Sheffield and his staff have ramped up the intensity. It’s the only other factor standing in the way of another title-contending season. St. Louis was named the favorite in the A10, and that should rub everyone wrong in Flyertown – just another slight for the league’s signature program over the last five seasons. There are a number of valid reasons to excuse excellence in 2008. A new staff, possible injuries to key players, and more parity in women’s volleyball are just three reasons. We think Dayton is ready to start a new chapter however and if Sheffield’s leadership sees the same upward mobility as the fans do, chances are those goals can be realized.

	Xavier XAVIER MUSKETEERS Dayton's biggest rival dating back to the early 1900s. Founded in 1831, Xavier University is a Jesuit, Catholic university in Cincinnati, Ohio. Its three colleges offer 78 undergraduate majors, 43 minors and 11 graduate programs to 6,646 total students, including 3,961 undergraduates. The University is the sixth-oldest Catholic university in the nation and one of 28 Jesuit colleges and universities nationwide. Xavier's nickname is the Musketeers and are fellow A10 Conference members.

	Temple TEMPLE UNIVERSITY Founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple College became Temple University in 1907. Located in Philadelphia, Temple is a comprehensive public research university with 34,000 students, 8 campuses, and 300 academic degree programs. Notable alumni include Bill Cosby and Daryl Hall. Temple's nickname is the Owls and are fellow A10 Conference members.

	Rhode Island RHODE ISLAND The University of Rhode Island was chartered as the state's agricultural school in 1888. The school became the Rhode Island College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts in 1892. Located in southern Rhode Island, URI is a quintessential New England campus - rural in feeling yet close to the city of Providence, the state's capital. Linked to the city, the beaches, and nearly every corner of the state by both rail and public transit, the campus is easily accessible from Boston and New York URI currently offers 100 majors in seven degree-granting colleges. There are more than 12,000 students on the Kingston campus, about 3,000 in Providence, and a complement of about 700 faculty. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Rams.

	Fordham FORDHAM Fordham University is an independent Jesuit university established in 1841 as St. John's College on old Rose Hill Manor in the village of Fordham, then part of Westchester County in the Bronx, NY. The name Fordham is derived from the Anglo-Saxon words "ford" and "ham," meaning a wading place or ford by a settlement. Rose Hill is the name given to the site in 1787 by Robert Watts, a wealthy New York merchant, in honor of his family's ancestral home of the same name in Scotland. The College was originally staffed by diocesan clergy. The name was officially changed to Fordham University in 1907. Fordham's 10 schools enroll 14,448 students. There are 7,652 undergraduates, of whom 3,842 live in University-managed housing either on-campus or in the local community. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Rams. Athletic claim to fame is consistent mediocrity in nearly all sports and few A10 title winning programs.

	Duquesne DUQUESNE Duquesne University is a private, coeducational university, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania located on 48 secluded acres, on a bluff above downtown. Founded in 1878 as a Catholic college by the Order of the Holy Spirit. It is the only Spiritan institution of higher education in the world. Duquesne offers 10 schools of study and 100 degree programs to 6,000 undergraduates and 3,800 graduate students. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Dukes.

	LaSalle LA SALLE In 1863, La Salle University was established through the legacy of St. John Baptist de La Salle and the Christian Brothers teaching order, which De La Salle founded 300 years ago. Located in Philadelphia, La Salle is an educational community shaped by traditional Catholic and Lasallian values. La Salle's main campus is an ideal place for students to pursue an education. The 130-acre park-like setting includes 54 buildings and is located approximately six miles from Center City Philadelphia. The University can accommodate 2,114 resident students in its 12 residence halls, two apartment complexes, and 75 townhouses. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Explorers. Notable athletes include Tom Gola and Lionel Simmons.

	George Washington GEORGE WASHINGTON Students choose from two distinct GW campuses — Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon. Both are located in historic and prestigious Northwest Washington, DC residential neighborhoods. With 9,700 undergraduate students, GW was founded almost 200 years ago and is named after the first President of the United States. GW stands as one of the nation's premier academic institutions with dozens of famous political, social, science, liberal arts, medical and professional graduates to its credit. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Colonials.

	Saint Louis SAINT LOUIS Saint Louis University is a Jesuit, Catholic university ranked among the top research institutions in the nation. The University fosters the intellectual and character development of more than 12,700 students. Founded in 1818, it is the oldest university west of the Mississippi and the second oldest Jesuit university in the United States. Located in St. Louis, MO, and just five minutes from the Gateway Arch, SLU offers 85 undergraduate programs and over 50 graduate study tracks. Over 99% of the SLU faculty hold the highest degree in their respective fields. Fellow member of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the Billikens, but also commonly known as "Sloo", the phonetic pronunciation of the school's initials. Athletic claims to fame include multiple national titles in men's soccer and men's basketball star Larry Hughes.

	Charlotte CHARLOTTE UNC Charlotte is one of a generation of universities founded in metropolitan areas of the United States immediately after World War II in response to rising education demands generated by the war and its technology. Now a research intensive university, UNC Charlotte is the fourth largest of the 16 institutions within the University of North Carolina system and the largest institution in the Charlotte region. The university comprises seven professional colleges and currently offers 18 doctoral programs, 62 master’s degree programs and 90 bachelor’s degrees. More than 900 full-time faculty comprise the university’s academic departments and the 2007 fall enrollment exceeded 22,300 students. Fellow members of the A10 Conference. Nickname is the 49ers.