Sept. 20, 2007

UD VOLLEYBALL LED BY STANDOUT SISTER ACT

For Adrienne and Robynne Green, there is no short supply of similarities on and off the court. Thankfully for the University of Dayton, one of the on-court commonalities they share is a knack for winning.

The twin sisters, each playing vital roles for the nationally-ranked Dayton volleyball team boasting a 13-0 record, are in the midst of a record-setting start to their 2007 senior season. With the Flyers off to their best start in school history, the pair recently had a chance to reflect on their final seasons at Dayton.

Adrienne, a 5-9 libero, entered her senior season as the school's all-time leader in career digs. She is currently tied for 26th nationally (1,685) and is just 309 shy of moving into the Top 25 in the NCAA history with 4.30 digs per game.

"Adrienne is a great vocal leader," says sister Robynne. "She knows how to lead and she makes plays that are unbelievable. She's got a great work-ethic, great attitude, and doesn't let down."

Robynne, a 6-2 middle blocker, recently moved into fourth place in the UD annals for blocked shots with 67. She was named to the All-Conference second team in 2004 and 2005, as well as the 2003 A-10 All-Rookie squad. In addition, she earned a spot on the A-10 All-Championship Team in each of her first three seasons.

Robynne Green, Dayton

"Robynne has great character both on and off the court and is everything that you would want a front row to be," says Dayton's 2005 Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year Tim Horsmon. "She's very laid back and makes the players around her play better."

The sisters moved from South Africa to Chicago in 1992, having yet to compete in any organized sports. After unsuccessfully trying out for their school's basketball team, a family friend suggested they try volleyball because of their above-average height.

The recommendation proved to be valuable as Robynne and Adrienne were soon competing with a successful local club team. Upon entering high school, both set the specific goal of playing for a university's volleyball squad.

Not only did each achieve their goal in impressive fashion, they've accomplished it while playing on the same team.

"When you play a long time with someone, you get that feeling where you kind of know what they're going to do. It's nice when I pass or dig a ball and Robynne puts it away. It's that sister combination, so that's fun," said Adrienne.

If the Greens' seem as if they know what it takes for success, it is because the foundation for winning stretches beyond their freshman season. A year after then first-year head coach Tim Horsmon brought home the university's first-ever Conference championship in 2003, the sisters arrived in Dayton and earned immediate playing time. The previous season's momentum carried over with the Flyers capturing the Atlantic 10 title in 2004, and adding a third consecutive championship in 2005.

While both siblings agree that each of their teammates is an integral part of the Flyers' accomplishments, Robynne believes that the team's chemistry has benefited from the sisters' past as teammates.

"It really helps because we know each other so well off the court. We're not afraid to tell each other what's really on our minds and we won't take it personally because while we're sisters, we're also teammates. Others see those expectations and the confidence that we have in each other and I think that's helped our team."

Any comparison between the twin sisters does not carry over to the hardwood. There is a five inch difference in height between the two and they play different positions. In fact, they often substitute for one another in the front and back rows.

"Playing different positions hasn't really allowed people to compare us that much because I only play in the front row and Robynne plays the back row. People have more or less thought of us as a tag team," says Adrienne.

When asked whether sibling competition has ever driven their level of competition, both Adrienne and Robynne believe that any "sibling rivalry" benefits the success of the team.

"Definitely here at Dayton we've had practices or games where intense competition has pushed us," admitted Adrienne. "In a way, we don't worry about being polite with each other and in the end, it will spark that fire. We know how to push each other's buttons on the court to get us going."

The sisters are also quick to attribute any of their individual success to their Dayton teammates.

"We're off to such a great start," said Robynne. "Our freshman class is awesome, I love them. They have great attitudes and work ethics and they get after it in practice and constantly strive to make us better. They're the best freshmen class we've had since I've been here. They really make us better, they push us. We know that we have to work for our positions."

The Flyers currently lead the Conference in overall wins and are ranked 18th in the latest CSTV/AVCA Top 25 Coaches Poll, their highest-ever ranking. Dayton commences league play this weekend as it hosts Saint Louis (10-3) in a rematch of last year's A-10 Championship on September 21. The Billikens' 3-1 victory in 2006 denied Dayton its fourth straight Conference championship. The Flyers will then square off with Duquesne on September 22.

"We're excited to be where we are at right now," says Horsmon. "We've been steadily getting better and this will be a big match in terms of what we want to accomplish this season."

While their competitive focus doesn't seem to allow for much distraction, the Green sisters admit that they've thought about this season being their last as volleyball teammates. Still, the focus of any reflection or nostalgia seems to encompass the team as a whole.

"I know that I've thought about it," says Adrienne. "The only thing I can say that I want to make it the best year possible so no day is going to go wasted. Every practice, every game counts. Hopefully we can walk away saying we gave it our all. My main goal is to be the best we can be and help take the team as far as possible."