Dec. 4, 2009

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The University of Dayton Flyers saw their postseason run end, falling 3-1 to No. 5-seeded Illinois (28-26, 8-25, 17-25, 18-25-X).

It had all the makings of an upset, but the result. The last two times Dayton faced Illinois, they came out victorious. Even more, both times the Flyers had trailed 2-1 in the match heading into the fourth set. This time the Flyers were unable to pull ahead against the fifth-seeded Fighting Illini.

"I thought this was a great team that we played tonight. Their block was awesome. It was really tough for us to score," said head coach Kelly Sheffield.

Amanda Cowdrey led the Flyers with 17 kills on the night, posting her 17th double-double as she also tallied 12 digs.

All-American middle blocker and Atlantic 10 Co-Player of the Year Lindsay Fletemier had five block assists.

The Flyers opened up and led most of the opening frame, until the Illini charged back late in the first to knot the game at 22 apiece. Dayton faced set point twice before pulling back ahead of Illinois and capturing the first set 28-26.

"Lauren DeBruler came out blazing. Game one was a battle and we were playing pretty well. We could have capitalized on some over balls, and that let them back into the game," Sheffield said. "

In the fourth game, we were a point or two away from making this interesting. Great teams find a way to finish and that is what they did. I thought our team battled.

Illinois' block became UD's Achilles Heel in the second set. Dayton's attack was stuffed six times as the Illini battled to even up the match.

The Flyers picked up three blocks in the third set as Cowdrey picked up steam adding four kills. However, UD could not pick up enough steam to overcome the Fighting Illini's .344 efficiency in the third set falling 17-25.

UD battled in the fourth set trying to regain momentum, however, the Illini' block did not subside tallying 6.5 blocks in the final frame.

"Next year is exciting because we have all of our starters back. Obviously we wanted to make it a little bit further than we did, but I think Illinois is a great team and we can only learn from tonight. We will get after it for next season."

Dayton ends the season 30-4 with two of their losses coming against Top 10 AVCA Teams. The Flyers will return every starter next season, including A-10 Co-Player of the Year Fletemier and the Most Outstanding Player of the A-10 Tournament Amanda Cowdrey.