Despite making late rallies in all three sets, the University of Southern Indiana volleyball team could not overcome slow starts as it suffered a 25-18, 25-20, 25-20 setback to Tiffin University in its final match of the 2016 Midwest Region Crossover Saturday afternoon.
The Screaming Eagles (9-12) fell into large holes in all three sets before making late pushes. USI, however, could not complete any of the comeback attempts as it suffered its third three-set loss in the last four matches.
In the opener, USI rallied from a 22-10 deficit to get to within six before suffering the seven-point setback. The Eagles rallied from eight back to get to within 22-20 in the second frame; the Dragons scored the final three points of the set to earn the five-point victory.
Tiffin (12-9) built a 22-14 lead late in the third stanza prior to the Eagles closing to within four points at 23-19. The Dragons, however, sandwiched points around a USI tally to seal the match with another five-point win.
Freshman outside hitter Mikaila Humphrey (Floyd Knobs, Indiana) had nine kills to lead the Eagles, while sophomore setter Erika Peoples(Bloomington, Illinois) and junior libero Shannon Farrell (Munster, Indiana) finished with 23 assists and 10 digs, respectively.
USI struggled to slow down Tiffin’s attack as the Dragons finished with a .375 hitting percentage, including a .406 clip in the second set
The Eagles, who finish the Crossover with a 1-2 record, resume Great Lakes Valley Conference play Friday at 7 p.m. when they travel to Rensselaer, Indiana, to take on Saint Joseph’s College.
