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Miami poses big challenge for UD
The teams, which play Saturday, could meet in the NCAA tournament.
Friday, November 23, 2007
DAYTON — Tim Horsmon saw the Atlantic 10/MAC Challenge as a tune-up for the NCAA tournament, not a preview.
The University of Dayton volleyball coach might get more than he bargained for out of Saturday's match against the host Miami RedHawks.
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"That's something that might not be great for us," Horsmon said. "I think right now, because of how close we are, we could end up in the same regional. So we could be turning around and playing each other the following week."
UD plays Western Michigan today before a match against the RedHawks, who won the Mid-American Conference title by defeating Ohio for the second time this season.
The 15th-ranked Flyers (30-1) hope to be a host for the NCAA's first and second rounds. They will find that out during Sunday's 8 p.m. selection show on ESPNU.
"I think our administration is working on that," Horsmon said of the Frericks Center as a possible tournament site. "It would be a great home-court advantage for us."
The NCAA usually groups teams by location, so UD could be at a site with Horizon League champ Cleveland State (which UD swept Nov. 4), Miami or possible at-large teams Louisville and Ohio.
Ohio and Miami won't be in the same foursome since they're in the same league. In her 24th year at Miami, coach Carolyn Condit has the RedHawks (19-8) playing well.
"They're champions and they just came off of a great weekend, so it will be hard to play at their place," UD setter Erin Schroeder said. "But since it's Thanksgiving (weekend), maybe there's not that many (people) there. It should be a good match no matter what."
Schroeder's teammate, senior Jamie-Lee Richards, is more — let's say, confident — about a possible rematch with Miami.
"I'm looking at this weekend as coming out with two wins, so (we might) meet them again," Richards said. "I don't think they'll think they have a chance against us when they play against us again."
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-6951 or mgokavi@DaytonDailyNews.com.
A-10/MAC Challenge in Oxford
5 p.m. today — UD vs. Western Michigan
4 p.m. Saturday — UD vs. Miami
