Flyers volleyball soars to NCAA Tournament First Round win in straight sets over Towson

Photo courtesy of UD Athletics.

Peter Burtnett
Sports Editor

The Dayton Flyers volleyball team got off to a soaring start in the NCAA Tournament First Round with a straight set win over Towson on Wednesday in Omaha, Ne.

In the first set, a flurry of blocks and kills propelled the Flyers to a 10-5 lead, forcing a Towson timeout. The Flyers continued to pick up momentum, grabbing a 17-9 lead before another Towson timeout. Redshirt junior outside hitter Jamie Peterson got the final kill in a 25-15 first set win. The Flyers overcame 7 service errors to win the set.

In the second set, a 5-2 Towson run made it close at 9-8, but the Flyers took a 15-11 lead into the media timeout. Taking 8 of the next 10 points, the Flyers forced another timeout from Towson with a 21-13. This time, freshman outside hitter Lexie Almodovar got the kill for a 25-16 second set win.

Never in doubt for the third set, the Flyers forced Towson timeouts at leads of 10-4 and 17-8. For the match-winning point, it was appropriately a kill for freshman middle blocker Lindsey Winner for a 25-16 third set win.

Almodovar and Peterson led the team with 9 and 8 kills apiece. Redshirt sophomore Amelia Moore and senior setter Bridget Doherty combined for 13 more, and Doherty led both teams with 25 assists and 7 digs.

With Wednesday’s win, the Flyers advance to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament, where they will face No. 6 Washington on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. in Omaha.

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