AUGUSTINE, Fla.—University of Southern Indiana Volleyball rallied from a two-set deficit to defeat host Flagler College, 17-25, 21-25, 25-22, 25-18, 16-14, Friday night in its second match at the Flagler Invitational.
Freshman outside hitter/defensive specialist Mikaila Humphrey (Floyd Knobs, Indiana) had 11 of her 12 kills in the final three frames, including a five-kill third set that saw the Screaming Eagles climb back into contention.
Despite dropping the first two frames, the Eagles really started to change momentum in the match in the second stanza as they rallied back from an 11-2 deficit to trim Flagler’s advantage to 21-20 late.
USI (2-0) carried that momentum into the third frame, where it posted a .314 attacking percentage to cut the match deficit in half. The Eagles got three straight kills from junior outside hitter Shelbi Morris (Brazil, Indiana) during their 4-0 run to end the third set.
Morris had four of her team-high 14 kills in the fourth set as USI stormed out to a commanding 21-12 advantage.
Flagler (0-1), which won the Peach Belt Conference title and advanced to the NCAA II Tournament in 2015, rallied to cut USI’s lead to 21-17; but the Eagles got a pair of kills from senior middle hitter/outside hitter Amy Zwissler (Bloomington, Indiana) in their 3-0 run that ended the frame and knotted the match at two-sets apiece.
USI jumped out to an early lead in the deciding set, but Flagler rallied to grab an 8-6 lead. The Eagles, however, responded with 5-0 run that featured a pair of aces from junior liberoShannon Farrell (Munster, Indiana).
Once again, Flagler bounced back, tying the score 13-13 and then blocking USI’s first match-point opportunity to match the Eagles at 14-14. Zwissler gave the Eagles a 15-14 edge with a kill; then USI sealed the victory on a Flagler attacking error.
In addition to Morris and Humphrey, the Eagles got 44 assists and 10 digs from senior setter Quin Shoultz (Columbus, Indiana), 16 digs and three aces from Farrell, and six kills and six blocks from junior middle hitter Te’Ayla Whitfield (Fort Wayne, Indiana). Morris also added 11 digs.
USI returns to action Saturday at 10 a.m. when it takes on Valdosta State University, which is under the direction of former University of Evansville Head Coach Mike Swan. The Eagles close out the weekend Saturday at 3:30 p.m. when they take on Brevard College, a team they defeated in straight sets earlier today.
