Dayton Flyers

Sept. 26, 2010

Box Score

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Behind a match-high of 12 kills and six blocks from Pittsburgh-area native Becky Novacek, the 19th-ranked Flyers swept Duquesne in straight sets on Sunday afternoon at the A.J. Palumbo Center (25-15, 25-16, 25-17).

Novacek – hailing from Aliquippa, Pa. – notched a .476 hitting percentage and totaled a match-high 15.0 points to lead the Flyers to the 12th consecutive victory over the Dukes and a 32-2 overall series advantage. On the afternoon the Flyers outscored the Dukes in points, 60.0-to-35.0.

Senior middle blocker Lindsay Fletemier and sophomore outside hitter Rachel Krabacher also recorded six blocks. Krabacher totaled 14.0 points after adding 10 kills. Fletemier had 10 kills on 24 swings for a .375 hitting percentage.

“This is a lot better Duquesne team than what we have seen over the years,” Head Coach Kelly Sheffield said. “We have been on the road for 17 of the last 25 days – we’re tired. But I thought we brought real good energy and played well. We are really excited about playing in Frericks again next weekend.”

In the 34th meeting between the programs, Dayton (11-3, 2-0 Atlantic 10) used a series of runs to separate from the Dukes (11-6, 0-2).

The match started with six ties and three lead changes before UD ended the first set on a 10-3 run for a 25-15 final. Dayton recorded 17 kills with a .441 hitting percentage in the first set.

Down 3-5 early in the second set, the Flyers used an 11-0 run to pull away for a 25-16 victory behind five team blocks in the second set alone. Senior Amanda Cowdrey served the rotation and recorded two aces on the afternoon.

The Flyers held the Dukes to a -.021 hitting percentage and used two 5-0 runs to take the third set 25-17.

Dayton’s 44 kills marked a three-set season high and it is the Flyers fourth time this season to record 13.0 team blocks.

Dayton returns to the Frericks Center for the first time in over a month next weekend, welcoming Rhode Island on Friday at 7 p.m. ET, and Fordham on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET.