Earlier in the season, I think it was the Illinois match because they brought their radio broadcast team, some announcers said Dayton has one of the oldest teams in DI this season. We know the last couple years Head Coach Tim Horsmon has brought in a Grad Student through the portal. It was Anna MacDonald last year and it’s Alia Williams this season. With more experience on the squad and in our quest to evaluate this team versus last year’s, we were curious  how much grad students, 5th year seniors and a more experienced team contribute to intangibles like the team’s chemistry, experience and leadership. Assistant Coach Timothy Balice provided some insights in these areas.

 “I would not say there is a specific increase in leadership that occurs “inherently” (when we bring in a grad student),” he said. “ I think there hopefully is a step up in professionalism, focus, and attention to detail that comes with the added experience.  Alia, for example, was a captain for LSU and every piece of feedback from those who have coached her said that she would be a significant ‘culture add’…which she has undoubtedly been.  Alia is leading in her individual way and has impacted the energy and demeanor on the court much like Anna MacDonald did last season.  In many ways, a spark plug or catalyst for a little more giddy-up.    

 “With the 5th years specifically, we hopefully are having less conversations about culture and standards and more conversation about tactics and the big picture.  In regard to how it will translate on the court we hope there is a sense of maturity and awareness with a more experienced group.”

Lexie Almodovar is a floor captain and she is responsible for communication with the up-official. Coach Balice also shared some of what Horsmon asks of his floor captain.

 “Coach Horsmon expects that floor captain to communicate well when asked to with the up-referee. That player needs to have a general understanding of the rules and what we are asking about as a “go-between” for the Coach and the up-official. Our floor captains also are indicated by their responsibilities as leaders in the program.”

I also commented to Coach Balice that this year’s players look like they really enjoy being together and battling together on the court. The all-important factor of chemistry appears to be alive and well with this group.

“I think there are a lot of players that have played several years together so with that comes a sense of connection and chemistry,” Balice explained. “ I also think this group has a pretty lively personality that shows on the court when they celebrate each other.”

We all know how “tight” the 2019-2020 Men’s Basketball Team was from top to bottom and the importance of that characteristic to that team’s success. I noticed in Lexie’s video interview on Flyer Weekly with Alex Mikos a couple weeks ago, she made a point of saying that we have a group of freshmen that have bought into the program. Her words were “full-throttle they have joined us.”

The freshmen are a very talented group and yet a total of one player has gotten into 2 sets so far this year. Basically, no one has played. All of them could end up as redshirt candidates. And yet, according to Lexie they are helping the team and buying in. This includes MB Abbie Cressee, OH Corrie Anderson, OH Sydney Barrett and DS Ella Joesting.

Roles take different shapes and sizes including behind the scenes contributions. It takes unity, chemistry and the all-important buying into your role by each player to win championships. It’s hard to measure these intangible qualities until it’s all said and done, but so far it appears this year’s team has these qualities in spades.

NOTES: You can watch to Lexie’s Flyer Weekly interview:

You will find the update on UD’s RPI tracking and building a resume to host NCAA matches over in the Fordham Matches Thread. The Athletic Department worked this week to prepare and submit the Hosting Bid to the NCAA. And they are looking at playing a match in the Arena to meet the NCAA qualification if they win a Top 16 host spot. That could be as early as the Duquesne Match on Tuesday. In the past, matches for the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 would be required to be in a larger venue than the Frericks Center. We have not hosted for many years. The sport has grown a lot since then, so I will try to find out if the Frericks Center is still large enough to host Rounds 1 & 2.

Finally, there will be no Fly-By this coming week due to the Tuesday mid-week Duquesne match. See you in two weeks.