SThe 13th-ranked University of Minnesota volleyball team (1-4) claimed its first victory of the season defeating Dayton (4-1) in three games by scores of 30-22, 30-23, 30-21 at the Sports Pavilion on Saturday, Sept. 6. With the win Minnesota moves to 1-1 in the Nike Invitational, while Dayton falls to 1-1. In the earlier match, Kansas (3-1) defeated Marquette (1-3) in three games by scores of 30-20, 30- 20, 30-25 to move to 2-0 in the tournament, while the Golden Eagles fell to 0-2.

Minnesota came out strong jumping out to a 17-10 lead with 15 kills in its first 17 points. Dayton cut the lead to 19-17, but the Golden Gophers scored eight of the next 12 points to go up 27-21 on its way to winning game one 30-22. Minnesota outhit the Flyers .429 to .114 in game one and had 23 kills as a team. Freshman Meredith Nelson (St. Croix, Wis.) tallied seven kills in the first game, while Trisha Bratford (Reseda, Calif.) had six.

Dayton jumped out to an 18-16 lead in game two, but Minnesota reeled the Flyers in by scoring six straight points to take a 22-18 lead. The Golden Gophers extended the lead to 28-21 before taking game three 30-23. Minnesota outhit Dayton .390 to .204 in the second game. Cassie Busse (Prior Lake, Minn) tallied six kills to lead the Golden Gophers in game three.

In game three, Minnesota stormed out to a 11-4 lead. Dayton cut the lead down to two at 20-18. However, the Golden Gophers scored eight of the next 10 points to go up 28-20 and moved to a 30-21 game three victory to claim the match. The Golden Gophers tallied six service aces in game three, including three from Busse and Erin Martin (Ames, Iowa). Busse and Martin also had six and five kills respectively in the game.

Four Minnesota players had double-figure kills led by Busse who tallied 16 kills, seven digs and three service aces. Bratford had her second career double-double with 13 kills and 12 digs. The 12 digs tied a career-high for her. Nelson tallied her first career double- figure kill match with 11, and also had five blocks. Martin tallied a season-high 10 kills and three service aces. Paula Gentil (Fortaleaza, Ceara', Brazil) and Marci Peniata (Plymouth, Minn.) each had 12 digs for the Golden Gophers. Junior setter Lindsey Taatjes (Prinsburg, Minn.) had 49 assists and 11 digs for the match.

Minnesota hit a season-high .358, and held Dayton to a season- best .156 hitting percentage. The Golden Gophers had 60 kills to the Flyers 37, and tallied 61 digs to Dayton's 40.

Dayton was led by Erin Treadway who had 10 kills and eight digs. Carrie Snider had 12 digs in the match.

Kansas picked up where it left off on the first night of the tournament winning in three games against Marquette in the early match. Ashley Michaels and Josaine Lima each had 12 kills for the Jayhawks. Janaina Correa also had 10 digs and eight kills on the day. Marquette was led by Erica Heisser who had 11 kills.

Kansas outhit Marquette .285 to .088 for match. The Jayhawks also tallied 50 kills to 35 for the Golden Eagles.

The night session of the Nike Invitational features a 5 p.m. match between Dayton and Kansas, while Minnesota will finish the tournament against Marquette at 7:30 p.m.