UD wins fifth consecutive match, sits atop A-10 standings
By: Katie Obear – Staff Writer
Hoping to add on to the team’s five-match winning streak, the University of Dayton women’s volleyball team will play Virginia Commonwealth University, Oct. 31 and Davidson University on Saturday, Nov. 8, at home.
“We have to take care of ourselves, train the things that we need to work on and also be fresh when we get into that last weekend and play our best volleyball and be confident,” head coach Tim Horsmon said.
Earlier this season, Dayton played VCU and Davidson at home. The Flyers defeated both teams that weekend, winning 3-0 against Davidson and 3-1 against VCU.
In a one-match weekend, Dayton hosted Saint Louis Saturday, defeating the Bilikens 3-1 at the Frericks Center. With the win, UD has defeated all but one Atlantic 10 conference team this season.
As they have all season, the Flyer middle blockers senior Isolde Hannan and first-year Amber Erhahon combined for 17 kills on 27 swings, good for a .593 clip. At the net, Dayton put together a fifth-straight double-digit block performance.
The Flyers played the Eastern Kentucky Colonels Wednesday in a nonconference match, winning the team’s 20th match of the season 3-0.
Junior outside hitter Alaina Turner led the Flyers with 15 kills, and first-year setter Jane Emmenecker also had a strong role in the win with over 33 assists and a personal record of 17 digs.
Before this match, the Flyers had consecutively defeated Morehead State University, Fordham University and the University of Rhode Island.
“It’s been a growth season since we have an entirely new coaching staff from last season and they are awesome,”Hannan said. “They’ve worked with us so much since the spring when they got here until now.”
The Flyers played Rhode Island at home Oct. 19 and won 3-0.
“Everyone’s really bought into the system that they are teaching us, and it’s working and it shows when we are on the court,” Hannan said.
Once again, Turner led the team during this match, 10 kills to go with eight digs, two blocks and one service ace.
UD has had a strong season thus far, winning 14 of 15 last contests and have won 21 matches this season overall.
“The kids are working really hard, and I think we made dramatic improvements throughout from the beginning to where we are now,” Horsmon said.
Dayton stands at 8-1 in the A-10 Conference with five conference games to play. Dayton has defeated all A-10 opponents except for George Washington.
The Colonials sit in second place with a 6-3 record. The Flyers have separated themselves from second place for the time as George Washington, Saint Louis, VCU, Duquesne and Rhode Island are all 6-3.