Nothing stings more than seeing your star player go down in a crucial match. Dayton volleyball coach Tim Horsmon felt that gut punch on December 13, as the Flyers were gearing up to take on the Nebraska Huskers in the NCAA Volleyball Championship 2024. This was a high-stakes showdown, with the winner earning a spot in the Regional final. But just minutes into the action, Dayton fans were hit with some bad news.

According to Abby Barmore’s update on X, the Flyers lost Alyssa Miller to a leg/thigh injury. She was spotted on the sidelines, visibly wrapped up and clearly in pain. The caption read, “Dayton setter Alyssa Miller left the match injured. She is on the sideline with a wrap around her left upper leg/thigh. Sophomore setter Ava Larkin is setting her place. She has played in 17 sets this season.” Ava Larkin stepped in to fill Miller’s shoes, but here’s where the drama unfolded. It’s not that Larkin isn’t capable—it’s that Miller’s role had been crucial in getting Dayton this far.

Let’s be real: Lexie Almodovar’s rise has been the story of Dayton volleyball this season. Her ‘one-woman show’ helped the squad make history by reaching the Sweet 16 for the first time. But let’s not forget the unsung hero behind those fireworks—Miller. Specialists argue that it was Miller’s passes that allowed Almodovar to light up the court all season long. Fans were hoping to see that dynamic duo in action together on Friday, especially against a powerhouse like the Huskers.

Yet, with Alyssa Miller missing the setter’s position, that wish hit rock bottom. Moreover, spending four years in Dayton, Alyssa Miller came with an enormous experience. Being a sophomore, Ava Larkin was bound to lack a similar experience. The sign of it was visible, as the Nebraska volleyball team didn’t have to shed much sweat while claiming the first point. 

The No. 3 clinched it by a 25-17 scoreline. In Dayton volleyball’s list, Lexie Almodovar had 4 kills and 4 errors, earned in 20 attempts. That didn’t pose to be actual Lexie Almodovaresque. Additionally, after Miller’s exit in the match, the Dayton Flyers inflicted only one kill on the opposite camp. However, don’t expect everything to run smoothly for the Huskers. They also had a share in facing a crisis. 

Dayton volleyball’s opponent comes with an absence 

On Friday, the Dayton volleyball team missed Alyssa Miller’s service during the game. The stakes were high as it was the first time the Flyers entered the Sweet 16 step in the NCAA Volleyball Championship. On the other hand, Nebraska volleyball had no time to take a sigh of relief. They also had to battle against their track record. Remember their loss against the Texas Longhorns in the final of the national contest? This time, Huskers’ coach John Cook was in no mood to watch the Big Red boat sinking in the last steps. But on Friday, even he had to reconcile with the situation. Why? 

Before the match even kicked off, the crowd at the Bob Devaney Sports Center noticed something off—Laney Choboy was stepping up to take her guard, but senior Lindsay Krause was nowhere to be seen in the huddle or on the final roster. Later, a detailed report revealed the reason: Krause was out due to illness.

With that news hanging in the air, Choboy wasted no time in stepping up to fill the gap. The sophomore came in strong, logging 4 digs in the first set alone. Talk about rising to the occasion! But let’s not forget—the match was still in full swing, and a lot more action was yet to come.