#UDVB starts NCAA Tournament Thursday against South Carolina

DAYTON – The 23rd-ranked Dayton volleyball team opens its 2024 NCAA Volleyball Tournament trip with a match against Southeastern Conference powerhouse South Carolina on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. 5:30 p.m. ET.

The game will be televised by veteran play-by-play man Mike Leslie with former Baylor Bear Hannah Sedwick as an ESPN+ analyst.



Flyers in the NCAA Tournament
UD has made the NCAA Tournament 18 times in its volleyball history, 13 of which have come under the guidance of a head coach Tim Horsmon. He was the head coach when the Flyers entered the tournament for the first time in 2003.


Dayton has made the second round of the NCAA Tournament 10 times, including last season after defeating Pepperdine in five. The Flyers have never advanced beyond the opening weekend of the postseason and are aiming for their first ever Sweet Sixteen berth.



Almodovar rules
Dayton redshirt senior Lexie Almodovar was named Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, making it back-to-back seasons winning the award for the Flyer.


The Noblesville, Ind. native. is the sixth Flyer to win multiple A-10 Player of the Year awards, joining three-time winner Jamie Peterson and two-time winners Alaina Turner, Rachel Krabacher, Lindsay Fletemier and UD Hall of Famer Faye Barhorst in the exclusive club.



The difference a year makes!
Although not a recognition given by the Atlantic 10, junior Liana Sarkissian should be considered the league’s most improved player this season. Sarkissian moved from right side to middle blocker and her numbers have jumped significantly across the board.


The native of Greenwich, Conn. has had an average of one more kill per set (1.41 to 2.52), several blocks per set (0.68 to 1.14) and made a significant jump in batting average (0.224 to 0.378). She has also averaged 0.20 service aces per game. sets and 52 digs on the season. Sarkissian earned an Atlantic 10 Player of the Week award as well as an A-10 Defensive Player of the Week nod.



Maestro Miller
Senior Alyssa Miller has orchestrated one of the best offenses in the country, not just the Atlantic 10, in his final season as a Flyer. The Overland Park, Kan., native has dished out a career-high 10.87 assists per set on the season, good for 14th in the nation. Miller has also averaged a career high 2.60 digs per game. set.


Perhaps even more impressive, however, is that Miller has the Flyers hitting a record .302 pace this season. The brand ranks as no. 6 in the NCAA this season.



A final round
Redshirt senior Alayna Yates returned to Dayton for a super senior year and produced one of the finest offensive seasons of her career. The middle blocker is hitting an Atlantic 10-leading .366 on the season and has averaged 1.04 blocks per game. set.


Yates’ career hitting percentage has risen to .330, which tied her for eighth in Dayton Volleyball history.



Save the best for last
Redshirt senior Brooke Smith has elevated her game in her final season as a flyer, achieving career highs in kills (230), kills/set (2.40), digs (52), total blocks (67), blocks/set (0.70), points ( 268) and points per set (2.79).


The transfer from Leo, Ind. native and Louisville had eight 10+ kill matches on the season and set a Flyer single-game record for hitting percentage in a three-set match as she had 10 kills on 12 errorless swings (.833) at Saint Louis. Smith also earned an Atlantic 10 Player of the Week nod on the season.



Scout in South Carolina
South Carolina has a 16-11 overall record after a 7-9 showing in the SEC this season. The Gamecocks earned the NCAA Tournament bid as an overall group, boasting two Top 25 wins over Florida.


Riley Whitesides is the top offensive weapon in the lineup for South Carolina, averaging 4.43 kills/set, good for 23rd in the nation.



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