EVANSVILLE, Ind—Eight different players had at least three kills and none had more than six as University of Southern Indiana Volleyball earned a 25-18, 25-12, 25-17 Great Lakes Valley Conference victory over visiting William Jewell College Friday night at Screaming Eagles Arena.
Junior middle hitter Taylor Litteken (Foristell, Missouri) and freshman outside hitter Abby Bednar (Chagrin Falls, Ohio) each had six kills to lead the Screaming Eagles’ attack, while Litteken finished with a .357 attacking percentage in 14 swings.
USI (14-9, 8-4 GLVC) held the Cardinals (7-17, 1-11 GLVC) to just nine kills and a 33 attacks in a back-and-forth opening frame that saw the Eagles use a 5-0 run midway through the set to create separation. The Eagles hit just .119 in the first set, but three service aces and an ability to keep William Jewell from making any sustained runs helped USI pull out the seven-point win for a one-set lead.
The Eagles, who finished with 10 aces on the day, had four more one-timers in the second game. Freshman setter Carly Sobieralski (Indianapolis, Indiana) had three of her match-high four aces in the second set as the Eagles cruised to a 13-point victory.
Both teams picked up their offensive efficiency in the third set, but the Eagles doubled WIlliam Jewell’s eight kills en route to an eight-point match-clinching victory. Litteken and sophomore right side hitter Katherine Koch (Belleville, Illinois) each had four kills on five swings in the third set, while USI held the Cardinals to just 23 total attacks to seal the victory.
Sobieralski added 13 assists and three kills to her four aces, while senior setter Casey Cepicky (St. Louis, Missouri) finished with three kills and 13 assists in limited action. Senior libero Callie Gubera (Thorntown, Indiana) had nine digs to lead USI’s back row.
USI returns to action Saturday at 3 p.m. when it hosts Drury University for USI Volleyball Alumni Day at Screaming Eagles Arena. The Eagles also will host a poster signing, trick-or-treating and a free boys and girls volleyball clinic for kids in grades 3-5.
The Panthers (16-9, 6-6 GLVC) are coming off a four-set road loss to the University of Illinois Springfield Friday night.
