Eagles end Augustana Inv. with three-set win

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Senior middle hitter Amy Zwissler (Bloomington, Indiana) finished with 10 kills and five blocks to lead University of Southern Indiana Volleyball to a 26-24, 25-18, 25-19 victory over Chadron State University in their final match of the Augustana Invitational Saturday afternoon.

Junior libero Shannon Farrell (Munster, Indiana) had 28 digs and was named to the All-Tournament team as the Screaming Eagles snapped a three-match skid. Farrell averaged 6.42 digs per set in the four matches at the Augustana Invitational.

In the opener, USI (5-3) fought off set-point by winning three straight rallies to edge Chadron State and take a one-game lead in the match. Following a Chadron State service error that tied the frame at 24-24, freshman outside hitter Mikaila Humphrey (Floyd Knobs, Indiana) and junior middle hitter Te’Ayla Whitfield (Fort Wayne, Indiana) had back-to-back kills to give USI the two-point win.

The Eagles used a 9-2 run in the second frame to turn a one-point lead into a commanding 17-10 advantage. Humphrey had five of her nine kills in the second set as USI held on for the seven-point win.

Following a USI timeout in the third frame, the Eagles scored three straight points and won eight of the next nine rallies to turn an 11-11 stalemate into a comfortable seven-point cushion. Farrell had 16 of her season-high 28 digs in the final frame as USI scored the six-point win to end the match in three sets.

Sophomore setter Erika Peoples (Bloomington, Illinois) had 34 assists and a pair of aces to aid the Eagles, while junior defensive specialist Jessica Lee (Mackinaw, Illinois) and sophomore defensive specialist Haley Limper (Springfield, Illinois) added 15 and 11 digs, respectively.

USI returns to action Tuesday at 6 p.m. when it travels to Nashville, Tennessee, to take on NCAA II Midwest Region foe Trevecca Nazarene University. The Eagles open Great Lakes Valley Conference play Friday at 7 p.m. when they host William Jewell College at the Physical Activities Center.

Short Box Score (Match)

Univ. of Southern Indiana Volleyball

Southern Indiana vs Chadron State (Sep 10, 2016 at Sioux Falls, SD)

Southern Indiana def. Chadron State 26-24,25-18,25-19

Southern Indiana (5-3)

(Kills-aces-blocks) – Zwissler, Amy 10-0-5; Humphrey, Mikaila 9-0-0; Whitfield, Te’Ayla 7-0-2; Jung, Amanda 6-0-5; Stose, Lindsey 6-0-0; Farrell, Shannon 1-0-0; Morris, Shelbi 1-0-0; Limper, Haley 0-1-0; Peoples, Erika 0-2-1; Totals 40-3-7.0. (Assists) – Peoples, Erika 32. (Dig leaders) – Farrell, Shannon 28; Lee, Jessica 15; Limper, Haley 11; Morris, Shelbi 8

Chadron State (1-7)

(Kills-aces-blocks) – Gaby Varela 10-2-3; Rudy Leasau 7-0-1; Alia Brennan 6-0-1; Stephanie Wilson 4-0-2; Kenzie Chrisman 3-0-4; Madison Webb 2-0-0; Deyzha Samuelu 1-0-1; McKenna McClintic 1-0-1; Emily Bruce 0-1-0; Totals 34-3-7.0. (Assists) – Madison Webb 26. (Dig leaders) – Emily Bruce 24; Sierra Winkle 13; Gaby Varela 9; Madison Webb 9; Rudy Leasau 8