Dayton Flyers

Nov. 29, 2004

DAYTON, OH - The 64-team bracket for the 2004 NCAA Division I volleyball tournament was announced Sunday and the University of Dayton volleyball team found out it will play Ohio State, the national #5 seed, in the tournament's first round in St. John Arena. The match will be played Friday, December 3 at 7:00 p.m. EST. Tickets for public and students are $10 and $7 respectively for an All-Session pass or $7 and $5 for a Single-Session pass. Pittsburgh and Ohio University will play in the other first round match in Columbus, starting at 5:00 p.m. on Friday

"Although every team dreams of having the chance to make a trip in the first round, playing at Ohio State is good for us," Dayton head coach Tim Horsmon said. "We will be able to get a good fan base there to play against a very athletic and physical team."

The Flyers (23-8) make their second ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament after winning their second consecutive Atlantic 10 Championship. Last year, UD advanced to the Second Round of the NCAA tournament after beating host Michigan State, in a five-game match.

Ohio State made the tournament as an at-large after finishing with a 27-3 overall record. The Buckeyes tied for second in the Big Ten with Minnesota after a 17-3 conference ledger. They were one match behind conference champ and tournament #2 seed Penn State.

UD and OSU have faced each other 19 times with Dayton holding a 10-9 advantage. The two teams opened the 2004 season with Ohio State sweeping the Flyers 3-0 in Columbus.

"We are excited for the chance to give it another shot against them," senior outside hitter Shanna Pressler remarked. "The coaches will get us prepared during the week like they always do and we will give them our best shot."

A complete 2004 NCAA Tournament bracket can be found at www.ncaasports.com.

For more on UD volleyball, including daily journal entries from Flyer players during the week leading up to their first round match, visit www.daytonflyers.com.