LITTLE ROCK, Ark.– University of Southern Indiana Volleyball (8-11, OVC 3-4) fell inches short of forcing a fifth set on Saturday afternoon against the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (10-10, OVC 5-2) in a four-set loss (10-25, 25-20, 15-25, 23-25).
Set 1: USI 10, LR 25
USI fell behind early as the Trojans used three blocks to build a 11-5 lead. Little Rock extended the lead to 15-5 with eight early USI attack errors. Senior Paris Downing smashed two kills as the Eagles chipped away at the large deficit. However, Little Rock committed zero attacking errors compared the Eagles 11, proving to be the difference. The Eagles have dropped 13 of 19 first sets this season.
Set 2: USI 25, LR 20
The energy and momentum shifted to the Eagles in set two regaining their balanced attack with an early 15-10 lead only committing one attacking error. Graduate senior Jasmine Green was on fire from the right side with four kills making it 17-11. The Trojans mounted a small run, but junior Bianca Anderson used an explosive slide and a block assist with sophomore Ashby Willis to make it 21-14 leading by a touchdown. Green capped off her monstrous set with her sixth kill to clinch set two. This marks the seventh time this season the Eagles have lost set one and bounced back winning set two.
Set 3: USI 15, LR 25
Junior Keira Moore continued her stingy defensive play with her 19th dig as the Eagles trailed by two early. Willis tied the match at seven with back-to-back kills. The Trojans mounted a five-point run keeping the ball in play avoiding errors as the Eagles called a timeout. A massive 10-0 scoring run by the Trojans hitting .429 in the set helped extend the deficit to 8-22. Senior Carly Sobieralski passed out her 25th assist to cut the deficit to 12. Senior Abby Weber placed two service aces past the Trojans, but Little Rock finished a match high 18 kills snatching set three.
Set 4: USI 23, LR 25
Moore made a highlight reel fully extended diving dig over net for a kill giving the Eagles an early 8-7 lead. Downing delivered a huge block and kill making it 10-7 Eagles. The senior received a red card on a questionable call after an exciting kill. After a long break with both teams confused over the call, Willis smashed a kill firing up the Eagles. Sophomore Leah Coleman heated up firing her fifth kill as the Eagles led 21-19. Little Rock mounted a five-point run leading by two, but senior Lauren O’Neill smashed a kill to cut within one. However, the Trojans late 6-2 run finished the match.
Green lead offensively with 11 kills for her eighth game tallying double digit kills. Sobieralski racked up 41 assists on 11 digs, while Moore led defensively with 26 digs on multiple eye-catching diving plays. Anderson swatted a team high four blocks, as freshman Kerigan Fehr, Weber, and Sobieralski each finished with two service aces.
As a team, USI finished with 58 kills, 44 assists, 71 digs, six aces, six blocks, and a .118 attacking percentage. The Trojans earned 67 kills, 49 assists, 79 digs, five aces, eight blocks, and a .257 hitting percentage.
Next up for the Eagles
Come support the squad take on Western Illinois University next Friday and Saturday at Screaming Eagles Arena.
