<P><B>Sept. 20, 2006</B><P>
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<P><a href="http://livestats.daytonflyers.collegesports.com/livestats/data/w-volley/447080">Gametracker for Friday</a> | <a href="http://livestats.www.collegesports.com/livestats/data/c-volley/426161">Gametracker for Sunday</a>
<br><a href="http://daytonflyers.cstv.com/sports/w-volley/stats/2006-2007/teamcume.html">Dayton Stats</a> | <a href="http://daytonflyers.collegesports.com/sports/w-volley/06guide.html">Dayton Media Guide</a> | <a href="http://daytonflyers.collegesports.com/sports/w-volley/wallpaper.html">Dayton Wallpaper</a> | <a href="http://atlantic10.cstv.com/sports/w-volley/atl10-w-volley-body.html">Atlantic 10 Volleyball</a>
<P><p>As Dayton gets set to begin the Atlantic 10 schedule, it looks towards its setter to lead it towards its third straight A-10 Regular Season Championship. Redshirt sophomore <A HREF="http://www.fansonly.com/schools/dayt/sports/w-volley/mtt/schroeder_erin00.html" >Erin Schroeder</a> has stepped into the starting role at setter this season and has UD off to a 9-4 start heading into matches at George Washington (Friday, 7 p.m. ET) and Charlotte (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET) this weekend.
<P>Schroeder is spending her first full season as a setter after serving as a defensive specialist last season for the Flyers. Despite the change, She is fifth in the A-10 in assists per game (11.06) and has led Dayton to a .237 hitting percentage on the season.
<P>UD has also responded well to Schroeder's leadership from the setter position. The Flyers have recorded kills on 52 percent of the balls set by Schroeder including a career-best 56 assists against #14 Purdue earlier this season. She has recorded 40 assists or more four times this season.
<P>Schroeder took time to talk about her transition to setter and her thoughts on the Flyers before the start of A-10 play this weekend.
<P><b>DF.com: What have you learned most since moving to setter last spring?</b>
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<b>ES:</b> Being the setter is a much more demanding position on the floor and I have realized that even more than before. I now have people looking at me and I am telling them what to do in situations. The technique of setting is a very important part of the game, and so is strategy, but more than anything I have to know what to do in certain situations and put my hitters in the best possible position to make a great decision for the team.
<P><b>DF.com: How has your role on the team changed while moving from a defensive specialist to setter?</b>
<P><b>ES:</b> Coming from the defensive side of the team I was only in for three rotations, and I only had to worry about a couple of the things on the court. Now, becoming an A-10 setter, I have realized that everyone's eyes are on me, and I have to have a reason in doing everything. I have to know what the team is doing at all times, what the other team is doing, and have an idea of what I want to do in every type of situation I am put in. I know that I still have a lot to learn and I believe I am getting better everyday.
<P><b>DF.com: How did the time you spent in the back row last season help you game overall?</b>
<P><b>ES:</b> Well, since I spent most of last season worrying about defense and serving, not to mention the chemistry with the team, now I feel that I can focus on the other parts of my game that need some attention. I do not have to worry about defense because I have become comfortable with that part of my game. I just have little bits and pieces here and there that I need to work on. As for my overall game, I feel that being a more experienced player in the back row can help me to understand what needs to happen with our defense as well, and I am happy to give input to those players that are back there playing defense behind me.
<P><b>DF.com: What is your strategy as you step onto the court? Is it different each match?</b>
<P><b>ES:</b> There is usually the same strategy going into every game. Always play hard, learn what you can from other players and make yourself better. Make smart decisions, don't ever walk off of the court knowing you could have done more than you can, and most importantly is to HAVE FUN! Nothing can beat the feeling of enjoying yourself out on the court and playing the game that you love with the people you love.
<P><b>DF.com: What is your assessment of the team's play entering the A-10 Schedule this weekend? What do you expect this weekend?</b>
<P><b>ES:</b> Coming from such a competitive first couple of weeks before our conference season gave us an edge on the other teams. We have played teams that are considered to be some of the best in the country, and I can say that we have learned from them, and how bad it feels to lose. Knowing that we can play with those teams only gives us more confidence coming into the conference season. Every person in our volleyball program wants to be considered one of the best in the country and now that we know what it takes. That helps us only work that much harder in order to achieve our goal. This weekend will set the tone for the rest of the A-10 season. We need to come out strong and confident, letting all other teams know that we have worked as hard we could and we are coming to win. |
