Dec. 15, 2006

DAYTON, Ohio - University of Dayton head volleyball coach Tim Horsmon announced the addition of three prep stars to the Flyer volleyball program on Friday. Tiffany Gaerke, Yvonne Marten and Becky Novacek each signed National Letters of Intent during the early signing period in November.

"Tami and Jason did an unbelievable job recruiting this group of athletes," Horsmon said. "They are all physically talented and have played for successful high school and club programs. All three players are great students as well as athletes and show great character traits. I think this group will be recognized as one of the most talented groups in the country in terms of incoming freshmen classes. Our Flyer fans will enjoy the addition of this group to a really talented group returning players and I think we will soon have great depth across the board that we haven't seen since my arrival here at UD."

Gaerke, an outside hitter from Fort Recovery, Ohio, was selected to all-conference and all-state honors each of the past three seasons. The 2006 MAC Player of the Year also earned First Team All-State recognition during her senior year. She was also ranked 90th out of the Top 100 'Senior Aces' by prepvolleyball.com. Gaerke has been a four-sport star at Fort Recovery also playing basketball, softball and track & field. On the basketball court, she was a First-Team All-Conference pick for the 2005-2006 Sectional Championship team. She was also a pitcher during her sophomore season for the 2005 Sectional Champion softball team before shifting her focus to track & field. Last spring, Gaerke advanced to regionals in the 4x800 meter relay and recorded a personal best high jump of 5-2.

"Tiffany is a super quick and explosive athlete who can play multiple positions but we will begin to train her as a six rotation outside hitter," Horsmon commented. "I love the energy and passion that Tiffany plays with and I think she will bring those intangible things to this class and our program. Tiffany is an incredibly hard worker and I believe will really excel in our program."

Marten, a right side from Fortville, Ind., led Cathedral High School to the 2006 IHSAA 4A State Title and a No. 6 national ranking by prepvolleyball.com while also earning Second Team All-State honors. She was also named to the Indianapolis Star Super Team as a senior and was ranked 103 in a list of top 'Senior Aces' by prepvolleyball.com. The two-time First Team All-Indianapolis pick in volleyball had an all-time record of 105-14 during her three seasons on the varsity team and was part of IHSAA State Finalists during her sophomore and junior seasons. Marten also starred on the basketball team, earning All-City honors during her freshman and sophomore seasons at Cathedral.

"Yvonne gives another explosive athlete who can terminate both offensively and as a blocker," Horsmon said. "Yvonne comes from one of the best high school (Cathedral) and club (Munciana) programs in the country and knows how to play and win at a very high level. Yvonne comes from a family of Flyers and I believe will be an impact player early in her career her at UD."

Novaceck, a middle blocker from Aliquippa, Pa., led Hopewell High School to four straight Sectional Championships as well as the 2004 PIAA 2A State Championship. She was also named the 2006 Athlete of the Year by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh Tribune Review and the MSA Sports Network. The three-time All-WPIAL selection was by prepvolleyball.com in 2006 as one of their 'Senior Aces' and in 2004 as one of the 'Soph 79'. Novaceck helped Hopewell to the 2005-2006 PIAA 3A State Championship while earning Second Team All-State and First Team All-WPIAL honors. She is also a two-time WPIAL Champion and placed second in the state last season in the high jump.

"Becky is an incredibly athletic player with a really high ceiling," Horsmon said. "Becky is a tough competitor who has excelled across the board from winning state basketball championships to being one of the elite high jumpers in the state of Pennsylvania. We are excited about this club season while Becky is training at Pittsburgh Renaissance and her development over the next six months."

Dayton has won three straight Atlantic 10 Regular Season Championships and has advanced to the A-10 Finals each of the past four years. The 2003, 2004 & 2005 Atlantic 10 Champions hold the highest winning percentage of any active A-10 team in conference play (149-49, .753). UD has been home to four Atlantic 10 Players of the Year and two A-10 Setters of the Year under the direction of fourth-year head coach Tim Horsmon, who was named the 2005 A-10 Coach of the Year. The Flyers have recorded 12 consecutive winning seasons and six straight 20-win campaigns. Dayton was 22-11 in 2006 including a victory over #18 Arizona - the highest ranked opponent ever defeated by the Flyers.