Aug. 30, 2005

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -  Despite a career-best night from junior Margo Moeller, Dayton was upended by Purdue 3-0 (30-17, 32-30, 30-21) in non-conference volleyball action Tuesday at the Intercollegiate Athletic Facility.

With the loss Dayton falls to 2-1 while Purdue won its 10th season opener in the last 11 years.

Moeller had a career-best 10 kills, 24 attempts and .417 hitting percentage while matching her career-high in digs with three. The junior was one of three Flyers to reach 10 kills in the match. Classmate Faye Barhorst had 10 kills of her own to go along with three blocks while sophomore Robynne Green added 10 kills, five digs and three service aces.

Dayton hit .157 on the night behind 23 assists from senior Nicole Schott and 10 by red shirt freshman Erin Schroeder. The setters also contributed defensively with eight and 10 digs respectively.

Overall, UD was led on the defensive end with 11 digs from sophomore libero Adrienne Green. However, Dayton was held to just three blocks on the night, all of which came in game two.

Homestanding Purdue out played Dayton in the opening game to win 30-16. The Boilermakers had 19 kills to the Flyers 10 while out hitting UD .444 to .044. Dayton was led offensively by Robynne Green with three kills, two service aces and two digs. Moeller and Barhorst added two kills a piece for the Flyers. Schott had just four assists to go along with five digs while Schroeder added four assists of her own in game one.

UD regained its form in a back and forth game two that included nine ties and nine lead changes. Dayton got off to a hot start and led by as many as five at 15-10 before Purdue rallied to knot the score at 17-all. The Flyers then countered with a run of their own to lead by four as late as 25-21 before the Boilermakers tied the score again at 25-25. UD then worked its way to game point at 29-28, but PU recorded kills on three of the next four rallies to take a 2-0 advantage in the match with a 32-30 victory. Moeller continued her hot play in the second game with seven kills and two digs while Robynne Green and Barhorst added three kills a piece. Schott dished out 10 assists in the second game alone for Dayton who out hit Purdue .300 to .177.

Purdue took over the match in game three and after four ties and four lead changes early on the Boilermakers closed out the match with a 30-21 victory in third game. Barhorst led UD's final stand with five kills in game three followed by four from Robynne Green. Schott added nine assists as Dayton was out hit .364 to .103.

Dayton returns to action as part of a talented field of four at the Aquafina Volleyball Classic in Gainesville, Fla. UD will face the host, No. 8 Florida, at noon and #15 UC Santa Barbara at 5:30 pm on Friday. The Flyers then wrap up play in the Sunshine State Saturday at 1:00 pm against Missouri State.