DAYTONA BEACH, FL - The Daemen College volleyball team improved to 8-3 today after a straight set win over Northwood University (25-11, 25-18, 25-15) before winning in a five-set thriller, in come from behind fashion, against the University of Northwestern Ohio (22-25, 24-26, 25-15, 25-23, 15-7).  

"Coming back from 0-2 deficit like that against a quality opponent like Northwestern Ohio shows what this team is capable of," said Daemen head coach Mark Parisi.  "The girls showed tremendous confidence in one another and they really stepped up and made the plays to make the comeback possible."

Freshman middle blocker Ye Wang (Beijing, China/Hachioji Jissen High School) put forth another great effort by leading the Daemen offense with 25 kills in the two matches.  

Sophomore Jenn Karan (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park High School) put down 13 kills of her own in the win over Northwestern Ohio while senior Rachel Bowler (Tonawanda, NY/Kenmore West High School) added a season-high 11 kills in the match.

Senior Kimmie Mack (Livonia, NY/Livonia High School) paced the Daemen setters with 13 and 23 assists, respectively, in the two matches.  Kaley Vazquez (Kenmore, NY/Kenmore West High School) added a combined 33 assists.

Katie Auge (Salamanca, NY/Salamanca High School), Joanna Fretthold (North Tonawanda, NY/North Tonawanda High School) and Brittany Anthon (Lancaster, NY/Lancaster High School) continue to lead the Daemen defense.  

"We are getting great contributions from a number of different athletes," Parisi said.  "Lindsey Nowak (West Seneca, NY/Immaculata Academy) continues to play an important role (16 kills combined) and Kaitlin Watchey (Jamestown, NY/Jamestown High School) came in and made some great swings for us."

Parisi continued, "I'm really proud of Chelsea Turcer (Alexander, NY/Alexander High School) who bounced back from a rough start to serve and defend the last seven points of the fifth game (vs. NW Ohio), with an ace to finish the match."

Daemen returns to action in day two of the Embry-Riddle Labor Day Tournament tomorrow, facing Peru State College and Oklahoma City University.