This strategy helped the Flyers make history in the NCAA Tournament. Dayton’s win over No. 16 Baylor sent the Flyers to the Sweet 16 for the first time in 18 NCAA Tournament appearances.

»RELATED: UD defeats Baylor in 5 sets

“The first thing that comes to mind is all the great teams that were so close and came up just short,” Flyers coach Tim Horsmon said. “I am truly so thankful for all the great players that have come through this program and paved the way for us.”

If the Flyers want to continue making history books, they will have to topple five-time NCAA champion Nebraska. The No. 3 Huskers reached the Sweet 16 for the 13th straight year after defeating Florida A&M and Miami.

Nebraska (31-2) won its 36th all-time conference title and fifth Big Ten title with a 19-1 record in Big Ten play this season. The Dayton-Nebraska game, broadcast on ESPN2, follows the other Lincoln Region semifinal between No. 7 Wisconsin and Texas A&M at 7 p.m

While the Flyers are focused on getting a win on Friday, it’s actually a loss that could be the key to their NCAA success this season.

“Losing in the conference championship was probably the best thing that could have happened to us,” Horsmon said. “It was a great reset.”

While the Flyers went undefeated in conference play all season, losing only two sets all year, Loyola defeated them in the championship game of the Atlantic 10 tournament.

“I don’t want to say we were overly confident, but I think we felt a little comfortable and I think it shocked us and reminded us that anyone can win on any day and we have to earn our victories.” said Almodovar. “I think it definitely put us in our place and prepared us for these big teams, knowing that nothing is going to be handed to us.”

Almodovar, a redshirt senior, did her part this season by breaking several school records and becoming the first Flyer to surpass the 2,000 career kill mark. She was named Atlantic 10 Player of the Year for the second year in a row. Almodovar and teammates Alyssa Miller and Liana Sarkissian were recognized Tuesday by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, earning 2024 Division I All-Midwest Region first-team honors. Horsmon, the Flyers’ all-time winningest coach at 404-108, was named the region’s Coach of the Year.

However, personal success is not what motivates this fearless Flyers team.

“We have a blue-collar mentality,” Horsmon said. “We have a great balance of skill, size and athleticism, but when you look at our league and the fact that it’s a mid-major program, it’s really pretty extraordinary what we’ve accomplished.

“These players give their best in every game.”

This is Dayton volleyball.

Here’s how to watch

The No. 23-ranked Dayton volleyball team will face five-time NCAA champion and No. 3-ranked Nebraska in the 2024 NCAA Lincoln Region semifinals on Friday at 9:30 p.m. 7 Wisconsin and Texas A&M, scheduled to begin at 7 p.m