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Flyer Volleyball Quickly Writing History
Flyer Volleyball Quickly Writing History
Christopher Rieman
Published by Chris R
11-27-2007
Smile Flyer Volleyball Quickly Writing History

DAYTON (OH) – The most compelling story of the fall sports season is down to the final chapter. The University of Dayton women’s volleyball team successfully earned their way into the NCAA tournament with an automatic bid after wrapping up the A10 tournament title a couple weeks ago. UD’s inclusion in the Field of 64 was a mere formality over the last several weeks as the Flyers bludgeoned their way to the nation’s best overall record. A minor hiccup at Xavier proved to be the only stumble and from that point forward, Dayton rolled just as they did before the loss – taking revenge on the Muskies twice en route to the A10 regular season and tournament titles. Two more wins capped off a 32-1 season heading into the NCAAs, good enough to earn the Flyers the #15 seed and a host site for the first and second rounds. The chance to host and the chance to advance in front of the rowdy Flyer Faithful might be the biggest victory, provided UD finishes the improbable thriller with the best cliffhanger of them all – a deep run in the Big Dance.


First things first. The Flyers open the tournament against Lipscomb, representing the Atlantic Sun conference with an automatic bid as tournament champion. The winner gets either Kentucky or Michigan State in the second round and both programs are capable of reaching the Sweet-16. Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it and it wasn’t long ago that Dayton ventured into East Lansing to play in front of Michigan State’s 2,500 fans – a NCAA 1st round match the Flyers won in five thrilling games. So never get too comfortable with your positioning. Beyond the Dayton sub-regional, the bracket sets up a likely matchup against Nebraska, favored by many to win the national title and UD’s former second round opponent after the Spartan victory in 2003.
What has Dayton well-positioned is the body of work that impressed the selection committee. Head Coach Tim Horsmon’s team nearly ran the table on the 2007 schedule and currently rank #8 in the latest RPI projections. Wins over tournament teams include Xavier twice (the A10’s first-ever at-large participant), Western Kentucky, Purdue, Cleveland State, and Miami (OH). Other marquee wins over Illinois, Utah, and North Carolina impressed the doubters and proved Dayton will play anyone, anywhere, anytime. A few strong teams missed the NCAA’s phone call on Sunday night because of suspect non-conference schedules. In the tepid A10, non-conference SOS is even more important and Dayton gained a lot of early respect after important wins to begin the season.


The Flyers have embodied the team approach all year and never forecasted victories like fans sometimes do. Few teams amass 32-1 records against any competition because even the best of the best have a couple bad days at the office. Not so with this team. Focused, Swiss-watch precision to their preparation is where Dayton outmatched – and outwitted – their opponents. Credit that to Horsmon and his talented coaching staff who continue to push the right buttons with the players. When they ask for more, the players respond on command like a K-9 unit running after the man in the padded suit. You feel bad for the man in the padded suit, but nevertheless he was asking for it.


This team lacks an All-American like Faye Barhorst, but they make it up in spades with far more balance, consistency, and less predictability. Dayton is also a much better serving team compared to a year ago. The team still sports a bevy of All-Conference players and energetic newbies with off-the-charts potential, but the heart and soul of this year’s team lies less in the basics and more in the nuances. Steep deficits to Illinois, St. Louis, Utah, and North Carolina couldn’t shake the resolve of the team, even when defeat was just a spike or two away. On those rare occasions when Dayton was against the wall, they swung for the fences instead of backing into a rally. By mid October, the Flyers were no longer taking the court expecting to win. They knew they were going to win.


It’s hard to think of a more important group of seniors leading the way. Jamie-Lee Richards along with Adrienne and Robynne Green will leave their marks on the program and the NCAA career record books. Sometimes being consistently good is harder than being occasionally brilliant and though it sounds like a back-handed compliment, the truth is all three rarely ever took a day off and it speaks volumes to their work-ethic and focus. The younglings in the returning classes have been groomed by the best and will return next year as better players because of it. One must also credit those who laid the groundwork in years past. Names like Barhorst, Schott, Westbrock, Utnage, Treadway, and Gardner paved the way for future greatness; the 2007 Flyers will help set the table for better teams in years to come. This is how national programs breed success. As fast as UD has risen, there’s no reason to think Dayton isn’t capable of competing for a national title in the coming years.


In just five seasons, Horsmon has changed the lexicon of Flyer volleyball. Terms like ‘rebuilding’, ‘quality loss’, ‘outhustled’, and ‘out-passioned’ are no longer allowed in his dojo. It’s a no-excuses program for a bunch of women that embrace the cut-no-corners policy. Word on the street is the staff already thinks the next couple of years could be bigger and better, but for now there remains unfinished business. Before the ink completely dries, the Flyers hope to fashion a bestseller that ends as spectacular as it started.
__________________

Hot shooting hides a multitude of sins.
Make everyone else's "one day" your "day one".
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  #1  
By Avid Flyer on 11-27-2007, 09:22 AM
Couldn't have said it better myself. This is a group of very unselfish players. When Coach Tim Horsman talks they not only listen they respond.

Talking with JLR after the Miami game she said she didn't have her best game but the others picked up the slack. That is what teamwork and chemistry produce. No one can be on for everygame and there is always someone on the sideline ready to step in and take their place, whether a bad day at the office, illiness or injury. And perhaps most importantly they know when they are on and when they are off, not trying to force things that aren't there. And in case they aren't sure, the coaches are there to tell them. What a great job the coaches do not only in game preperation but all through the game. Calling out plays from the sideline, yelling encouraging remarks and pointing out what they are doing right and not. And Adrianne, the QB always shouting out defenses etc. What is really a joy to watch is when they do make an error, they quickly huddle and encourage one another. In addition, the one who made the error pats their chest as in "My Bad". They know each others strengths and weaknesses and totally support one another.

But they aren't perfect all the time. In game two the of Miami game they lost focus just just a few minutes, misques that they rarely make. Serves that were in when they thought they would be out, balls that fell inbetween players on miscommunication, spikes going long or wide, and a few digs that were missed and presto you have a deficit against a good opponent. Worst off the opponent gains confidence and actually thinks they can beat the flyers. Well thats where chapter two takes place with a whole new attitude coming out of the locker room and whipping Redhawks into submission. Just in case they were thinking upset, the flyers established early and repeatedly throughout game three who the superior team was. Even with that, a scrappy Miami team held tough in game four, but as is the case so many times the cream rises to the top.

Another thing this team has is depth. JLR so many times this year was the catalyst that held the team together in tough games, at Miami she had an off day for her but the depth on this team and the talent came through.

TH had mentioned at the SLU that the freshmen had come along really well and that he wouldn't hesitiate to put one in if conditions warranted it. These freshmen have gotten better because of the upperclassmen, and I believe its also very true that the upperclassmen are better and have accomplished a 32-1 season because the freshmen have pushed them to be better.

Now is the time for all this to come together and what better place than on the national stage. Go Ladies, Go Flyers, destiney awaits you.
Last edited by Avid Flyer; 11-27-2007 at 09:29 AM..
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