April 23, 2009

DAYTON, Ohio - University of Dayton volleyball head coach Kelly Sheffield has announced that sophomore outside hitter Amanda Cowdrey will transfer from the University of Albany and join the Flyers this fall.

"Amanda is a great addition to our program. She's a volleyball junkie and would probably be the first one in the gym if we held a practice at 3 AM," said Sheffield. "Her ball control, all-around game, and volleyball IQ will help us immediately and her work ethic will fit in perfectly with the players that we already have here at UD."

Cowdrey, the 2007 America East Conference Rookie of the Year, is coming off an outstanding 2008 campaign with the Great Danes in which she averaged 3.25 kills per set and 2.95 digs per set. She ranked second on last year's Albany squad with 23 service aces. She was recruited by Sheffield and his staff to Albany and played one season under him before he was named head coach at UD.

"Amanda was on pace to finish in the Top 5 in career kills, digs, and service aces at Albany," said Sheffield. "We are getting a player that can have an effect on a match in a lot of different ways."

Cowdrey joins a Dayton squad that returns seven letterwinners for 2009 including AVCA All-American Lindsay Fletemier. Last season the Flyers made their fifth NCAA Tournament appearance in the last six years.