NEWS

The Wildcats had a great run to the A10 Tournament.

DAYTON, Ohio – The Davidson volleyball program’s 2024 season came to an end Saturday afternoon, as the Wildcats fell to the Dayton Flyers, 3-0, in the Atlantic 10 semifinals.

Davidson ends the year 16-15 overall, after making its second A-10 semifinal appearance in program history.

Dayton, the No. 1 overall seed and 18th ranked team in the country, has not lost a match since September 14 and improves to 29-1 on the year. The Flyers have lost just two sets in Atlantic 10 play this season.

The Wildcats hung tough with the Flyers in set one, tying the frame at 14-all after a kill from Meile Songaila and a block assist from Isabel Decker and Kayla Davis. From there, Dayton rattled off a 4-0 run and eventually pulled ahead 21-15 before a Songaila service ace and a solo stuff from Melanie Tilles cut the late deficit to three, 21-18. Despite the late comeback, one more 4-0 run from the home team eventually pushed the Flyers to the 25-18 victory.

Davidson started off neck-and-neck with Dayton again in the second, this time tied 8-8, thanks to a block from Emma Slusser and Davis, but the Flyers strung together a 13-5 run from there and secured the 2-0 lead with a 25-16 win. 

Overall, Dayton held the ‘Cats to a .150 attack percentage, as the Flyers managed to secure another 25-16 win in the third to secure the match.

Decker ended the match with 11 kills and eight digs, while Songaila added six kills and an ace.