Dayton Flyers

Sept. 10, 2009

Game Notes in PDF Format |

Match Program

DAYTON, Ohio - The University of Dayton Flyers look to extend their 6-0 start as the return home for the Dayton Flyer Classic. The tournament field includes UConn, Creighton and Samford.

Dayton gave Western Michigan a taste of their own medicine after last year's season-ending NCAA First Round match. The Flyers won 3-0 on WMU's home court this time around.

The Flyers are serving more aggressively than in year's past, and it has been a major factor in their play. They average 2.27 service aces per set compared to last year's 1.13.

Dayton has been dominate on both sides of the ball. All-American Lindsay Fletemier is second in the Atlantic 10 with a .385 attack efficiency. Her 1.27 blocks per set also ranks second in the conference.

Tiffany Gaerke had a standout performance last week earning A-10 Co-Offensive Player of the Week and MVP of the Bronco Invitational. She has 58 kills on the season and notched 17 kills, 11 digs and six service aces against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Sept. 5.

Freshman Libero Paige Vargas continues to handle the opposing team's attack. She averages 4.27 digs per set and set a career-best 20 digs against Illinois State on Sept. 4

Dayton will open up play against the UConn Huskies at 7:00 p.m. on Friday.The Huskies return five starters this season, inlcuding Chauntay Mickens, a preseason all-conference selections. Mickens played for Dayton in her freshman season. The Huskies are 3-5 this season and Jordan Kirk leads the attack averaging 2.76 kills per set.

On Saturday, the Flyers will face Samford at 11:00 a.m. ET. Samford enters the weekend at 3-3. Allie Bettinger leads the Bulldogs offensively averaging 3.05 kills per set. Libero Alexis Bauer averages 3.67 digs per set. As a team, the Bulldogs average 12.24 kills per set and hold a .179 attack efficiency.

Later that evening, they will return to close out the tournament against the Creighton Bluejays. The Bluejays picked up a win in their home-opener against Texas Tech, but have since been on a five-game slide. Creighton led by All-American Jessica Houts who averages 2.90 kills per set and 1.90 blocks per set. Libero Nayka Benitez averages 4.35 digs per set.

The tournament begins at 4:30 p.m. in the Frericks Center. Admission is free of charge at all Dayton home matches, including all matches in the Dayton Flyer Classic. Those unable to make it to the match can watch Friday and Saturday night's matches free of charge at www.DaytonFlyers.com.