That strategy has helped the Flyers make history in the NCAA tournament. Dayton’s win over No. 16 Baylor, propelled the Flyers to the Sweet 16 for the first time in 18 NCAA tournament appearances.
»RELATED: UD topples Baylor in 5 sets
“The first thing I think of are the many great teams that came so close and fell just short,” Flyers coach Tim Horsmon said. “I’m really so grateful for all the great players who came through this program and paved the way for us.”
If the Flyers hope to continue rewriting the history books, they will have to topple five-time NCAA champion Nebraska. The No. 3 Huskers advanced to a 13th straight Sweet 16 after sweeping Florida A&M and Miami.
Nebraska (31-2) won its 36th all-time conference title and fifth Big Ten title with a 19-1 record in Big Ten play this season. The Dayton-Nebraska match, broadcast on ESPN2, will follow the other Lincoln Region semifinal between No. 7 Wisconsin and Texas A&M at 7 p.m.
While the Flyers are focused on securing a win Friday, it is actually a loss that might be the key to their NCAA success this season.
“Losing in the conference championship may have been the best thing to happen to us,” Horsmon said. “It was a great reset.”
While the Flyers were undefeated in conference play all season — dropping only two sets all year — Loyola swept them in the Atlantic 10 tournament championship match.
“I don’t want to say we were overconfident, but I think we were a little comfortable and I think it shocked us and made us remember that anyone can win on any day, and we have to earn our wins,” Almodovar said. “I think it definitely put us in our place and got us ready for these big teams, knowing that nothing would be given to us.”
Almodovar, a redshirt senior, has done her part this season, shattering multiple school records and becoming the first Flyer to surpass the 2,000 career kill mark. She was named Atlantic 10 Player of the Year for a second consecutive season. Almodovar and teammates Alyssa Miller and Liana Sarkissian were recognized Tuesday by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, earning 2024 Division I All-Midwest Region first team honors. Horsmon, the Flyers all-time winningest coach at 404-108, was named the region’s Coach of the Year.
Personal accomplishments, however, are not what motivates this fearless Flyers squad.
“We’ve got a blue-collar mentality,” Horsmon said. “We have a great balance of skill and size and athleticism, but when you look at our league and being a mid-major program, it’s really pretty exceptional what we’ve accomplished.
“These players put it all out there every match.”
That’s Dayton volleyball.
How to watch
The No. 23-ranked Dayton volleyball team faces off with five-time NCAA champion and No. 3-ranked Nebraska in the 2024 NCAA Lincoln Region semifinal on Friday at approximately 9:30 p.m. The match will follow the other Lincoln semifinal between No. 7 Wisconsin and Texas A&M, scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
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