The UD womens volleyball team is on a roll. Winners of eight matches in a row and 15 of their last 17, Head Coach Pete Hoyer’s team is firmly planted at the top of the Atlantic-10 race at 15-4 (8-1) along with Rhode Island who stands at 13-7 (9-1). While URI won the matchup earlier this season, a rematch at the Frericks Center awaits this weekend and could determine who wins the regular season title. But Rhode Island is on a roll as well and have won 10 matches in a row after starting the year 1-6.

The Flyers have been getting it done quickly of late, dispatching of teams in three our four games in the new rally scoring format (first team to 30pts, win by two). All told, the Flyers have played in just two five-game matches all year, a 3-2 setback to Western Michigan in the season opener and a 3-2 victory at George Mason two weeks ago. Adding it all up, the Flyers have gone 49-23 among all games in the 2001 season and are looking primed for a repeat trip to the Atlantic-10 postseason tournament as yet another top four finish is virtually guaranteed.

Coach Hoyer checks in for the second time this season and offers his insights on where things started, where they currently stand, and where it’s all going as the race unfolds.

UDP: Where do you see the current team after 19 games into the season?

PH: It is hard to believe that we have already begun the second half of our double round-robin Atlantic 10 Conference schedule. The season is going by very quickly! Our season began as expected, with us demonstrating great athleticism and talent at times, but making too many errors due to inexperience to knock off top opponents like Michigan State and Western Michigan. Also as expected, this team kept their focus on working hard to improve on a daily basis, and that has paid off. We are now 15-4 overall, and 8-1 in the Atlantic 10 Conference. We are tied for first with Rhode Island in the A-10, and ranked second, behind only Notre Dame, in the Northeast Region for Division I volleyball.

UDP: What lies ahead as the A-10 race really heats up? What are you penciling as the biggest challenges?

PH: Our remaining schedule is filled with important and pivital dates, beginning with this weekend. On October 26th and 27th we host UMass and Rhode Island. UMass always plays well in Dayton and has played the spoiler in the second half of the season by knocking off first place teams many times since we joined the A-10. Then, depending on what happens Friday night, Saturday’s match with Rhode Island could be a meeting of Number 1 teams.
On November 2nd we travel to Philadelphia to play the Temple Owls. Temple promises to be a factor in the Atlantic 10 race, and a win for us in their gym would be extremely beneficial. On November 11th we complete conference play at Xavier. Our rivalry with the Muskateers went to new heights in September when we soundly defeated them in the Frericks Center. They will be looking for revenge when we travel to Cincinnati.

UDP: What’s key for your team to make the Coach Hoyer gameplan become a reality?

PH: The key for us is to keep our focus on the present. We are still a team made up primarily of underclassmen, and there is so much that we can improve on, both individually and as a team. If we concentrate on improving each day I think we will find ourselves where we want to be at the end of November. However, we cannot look past anyone!

UDP: You’ve received major contributions once again from Katie Ferriell, a career star for the Flyers and sure bet for the 2001 Atlantic-10 All Conference team. Briefly comment on what she’s meant to the squad so far this year.

PH: Katie Ferriell, Senior Middle Blocker from Eaton, OH, has been simply fabulous for the past six weeks. In that time she has recorded two triple-doubles, with double figures in blocks, kills, and digs in a single match. She achieved the 1000 Career Kill milestone on October 19th vs. Fairfield, she recorded 26 digs vs. Temple on October 6th, and she has twice been named A-10 Player of the Week. She is just 11 blocks away from breaking the University of Dayton’s all-time career block record currently held by Sheila Kreim (’94-’97) at 491 Blocks.

UDP: Any hiccups along the way as the year’s progressed?

PH: This group of athletes has been extremely resilient in handling security checks, schedule changes, and the basic anxieties we all have with air travel since September 11th. We are currently 8-4 on the road this season. That demonstrates this groups courage and competitiveness in the face of challenge and adversity. A coach cannot ask for more from a team!

UDP: We heard good news lately regarding the Hoyer family. Care to tell the others about the new addition?

PH: My wife Stephanie, gave birth to our son, Ethan David Hoyer, on September 14th. He joined us as a bright light at the end of a tragic week. Flyer Volleyball is 4-0 in matches Ethan has attended, so expect to see him in the Frericks Center in the coming weeks!