Dec. 1, 2007
DAYTON, Ohio - #15 Dayton saw its best season ever come to an end on Saturday as the Flyers fell to Michigan State, 3-0 (30-26, 30-16, 30-21) in an NCAA Second Round match at Frericks Center. 2007 Atlantic 10 Champion and 15th seeded UD closed out the year with a 33-2 overall record.
With its second sweep in as many days, the Spartans won the Dayton Sub-Regional and avenged a 2003 NCAA Tournament loss to the Flyers by firing on all cylinders in front of a school-record 2,057 fans that packed Dayton's home venue. MSU committed just 14 errors in the match and out hit UD .333 to .037.
"It was a great feeling to host at home for our final game," said Dayton senior Jamie-Lee Richards. "I'm really looking forward to where our program is going in the next few years. I can't wait to come back and see what it's going to be like."
Richards led the Flyers with 13 kills, while classmate Adrienne Green chipped in with 11 digs. Junior Erin Schroeder accounted for 26 assists.
Michigan State's Ashley Schatzle led all players with 14 kills. Jessica Hohl tallied nine block assists in the match, helping the Spartans to a 16-5 advantage in total team blocks. Lauren O'Reilly added 36 assists.
UD jumped out to a 15-10 advantage in the opening game before MSU rallied to take eight of the next 10 points. The Flyers kept the game close and even regained the lead at 26-25 before faltering on each of the game's final five points. From that point on, the Flyers would never quite regain their swagger.
In game two, MSU's Johnson recorded seven of her kills to lead the way. After the game's first 10 points, the Spartans were never contested en route to the 30-16 final.
Senior Robynne Green provided a spark for the Flyers, playing significant time in the third game. She hit .600 for the match, and recorded three kills and a block assist in game three as the Flyers attempted to keep pace with the Spartans. UD cut Michigan State's lead to 15-14, but allowed the Spartans to take six of the next seven points.
Ultimately, Dayton could never quite catch up, as the Spartans took the final game and advanced to Friday's Madison Regional against #2 seed Nebraska.
Dayton finished the season ranked in the CSTV/AVCA Top 25 Coaches Poll for the last 13 weeks, including a program-best #12 ranking in mid-October. The Flyers graduate three seniors - Jamie-Lee Richards, Adrienne Green and Robynne Green.
"We are unbelievably fortunate to have this group of seniors," said head coach Tim Horsmon. It's probably not the way we wanted to play today, but we had a heck of a season and I'm proud of the program and the leadership in these three in particular. I hope when they come back next year they can come back and see how they've built this program." |
