June 11, 2007

DAYTON, Ohio - Flyer newcomer Caitlin Rimgaila has decided not to play volleyball in 2007 to focus on her pursuit of a graduate degree at the University of Dayton. Rimgaila had one year of eligibility remaining after earning her undergraduate degree from St. John's University this Spring.

Rimgaila, a 2006 All-BIG EAST Second Team pick, led the Red Storm to a 31-5 record last season and a berth in the NCAA Second Round before falling to Minnesota in five-games. Rimgaila led SJU in hitting percentage (.350), ranked second in blocks (84) and third in kills (403) while reaching double figures in kills 21 times. She hit .240 with 9.8 kpg and 1.8 bpg against ranked opponents in 2006. Over three years, Rimgailia appeared in 85 matches and tallied 603 kills and 176 total blocks.

The Flyers boast one of the top groups of newcomers in the nation heading into the 2007 season. Lindsay Fletemier, a 6-6 middle blocker, begins her collegiate career this Fall after redshirting last season. The two-time Honorable Mention All-State selection as a prep at Garden City High School in Michigan. She is joined by a group of five true freshmen that were ranked as the No. 22 recruiting class in the nation according to PrepVolleyball.com. The class consists of Rachel Broerman, Tiffany Gaerke, Kacie Hausfeld, Yvonne Marten and Becky Novacek.

Broerman, a 5-4 libero/defensive specialist, was an Honorable Mention All-State pick after leading St. Mary's (CO) High School to its fourth straight appearance in the State Tournament. Gaerke, 6-1 outside hitter, was a three-time All-State pick at Fort Recovery (OH) High School and was selected as the 2006 Midwest Athletic Conference (MAC) Player of the Year. Hausfeld, a 5-9 setter, led local Archbishop Alter High School to a pair of OHSAA State Championships. She earned 2006 GGCL Player of the Year and All-State honors while twice breaking the Alter High School record for assists in a season. Marten, a 6-2 right side, led Cathedral (IN) High School to the IHSAA State Championship Match three consecutive seasons winning the Title in 2006 while also being named an All-State selection. Novaceck, a 6-2 middle blocker, won PIAA State Championships in three different sports at Hopewell (PA) High School. She was a three-time All-State pick in volleyball after breaking the school record for kills in a season as a senior.

Dayton has won three straight Atlantic 10 Regular Season Championships and has advanced to the A-10 Finals each of the past four years. The 2003, 2004 & 2005 Atlantic 10 Champions hold the highest winning percentage of any active A-10 team in conference play (149-49, .753). UD has been home to four Atlantic 10 Players of the Year and two A-10 Setters of the Year under the direction of fourth-year head coach Tim Horsmon, who was named the 2005 A-10 Coach of the Year. The Flyers have recorded 12 consecutive winning seasons and six straight 20-win campaigns. Dayton was 22-11 in 2006 including a victory over #18 Arizona - the highest ranked opponent ever defeated by the Flyers.