Dec. 15, 2004

DAYTON - University of Dayton Head Volleyball Coach Tim Horsmon has announced the signing of two recruits who will join the Flyers next season. Bethany Akerhielm of Carmel, Indiana and Julie Richards of Wheaton, Illinois have both signed National Letters of Intent to attend UD in the Fall of 2005.

Akerhielm was selected as the 86th best senior player in the nation according to prepvolleyball.com and starred for the past three seasons at Carmel High School. She holds CHS school records for career kills and blocks as well as best single season hitting percentage, most blocks and highest kills per game. At the end of her senior season, she was named First Team All-State by the Indiana High School Volleyball Coaches Association and the Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association. She also plays for the Munciana club team, which recently placed 11th at the Junior Olympics.

Richards was part of three Illinois State Championship Teams as a middle blocker at St. Francis High School. As the team's captain during her senior season, Richards tallied a team-high seven kills in the State Championship Match to clinch the Spartans' third consecutive title. She was named to the Daily Herald All-Area Team which also selected her as the Area's Best Blocker and Most Improved Player. She was also listed on the Chicago Tribune's 2004 Special Mention Team.

The duo joins a Flyer volleyball team that has recorded four consecutive 20-win seasons and two straight Atlantic 10 Titles. Dayton has represented the A-10 in the NCAA Tournament each of the past two seasons under the direction of Horsmon.