Eagles close in openers, but fade away in two losses

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University of Southern Indiana Volleyball could not bounce back from a pair of close opening-set losses Saturday as it lost in three sets to No. 2 Southwest Minnesota State University and the University of South Carolina-Aiken to close out the UWF Hampton Inn-Vitational.

The Screaming Eagles (0-4) lost to Southwest Minnesota State 25-23, 25-16, 25-16 in their first match of the day. They fell to USC-Aiken 26-24, 25-13, 25-10 to conclude the weekend.

USI returns to action Friday when it hosts the Dunn Hospitality Invitational at the Physical Activities Center. USI plays Purdue University-Northwest and Cedarville University Friday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively, before taking on Northwood University and the University of North Alabama next Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively.

#2 Southwest Minnesota State def. Southern Indiana 25-23, 25-16, 25-16 (Box Score)
USI found itself with a two-point lead late in the opening set against the No. 2 team in the nation, but a 6-2 Southwest Minnesota State run prevented the Eagles from winning the first game and taking a one-set lead in the match.

The Mustangs (3-0) used runs of 6-1 and 9-1 in the second set to establish a double-digit lead; then used an 11-0 run in the third set to pull away from the Eagles and complete the three-game sweep.

Sophomore outside hitter Mikaila Humphrey (Floyd Knobs, Indiana) had nine kills to lead the Eagles’ attack, while senior libero Shannon Farrell(Munster, Indiana) had 18 digs to pace USI’s back row.

USC-Aiken def. Southern Indiana 26-24, 25-13, 25-10 (Box Score)
The Eagles saw a four-point lead midway through the opening frame disappear as the Pacers rallied for a two-point win and one-game lead in the match.

USC-Aiken (1-2) used an 11-2 run to surge past the Eagles in the second frame; then racked up a .452 attacking percentage for a 15-point win in the third stanza.

Humphrey had 12 kills and eight digs to lead the Eagles, while Farrell finished with nine digs.

Short Box Score (Match)
Southern Indiana vs #2 SW Minnesota State (Sep 02, 2017 at Pensacola, FL)

SW Minnesota State def. Southern Indiana 25-23,25-16,25-16

Southern Indiana (0-3) (Kills-aces-blocks) – Humphrey, Mikaila 9-0-0; Jung, Amanda 4-0-3; Yochum, Alyssa 4-0-1; Coleman, Elexis 3-0-2; Peoples, Erika 2-0-0; Whitfield, Te’Ayla 2-0-1; Cepicky, Casey 1-0-0; Lee, Jessica 0-1-0; James, Shawntel 0-0-2; Farrell, Shannon 0-1-0; Totals 25-2-6.0. (Assists) – Peoples, Erika 13. (Dig leaders) – Farrell, Shannon 18; Humphrey, Mikaila 6

SW Minnesota State (3-0) (Kills-aces-blocks) – Borchardt, Brooke 10-0-5; Reiss, Taylor 8-0-4; Burmeister, Kaylee 7-1-1; Larson, Megan 5-1-3; Smith, Sarina 5-0-3; Lier, Zoe 4-0-1; Reinhardt, Caedyn 3-0-0; Young, Angela 2-0-0; Totals 44-2-10.0. (Assists) – Larson, Megan 25. (Dig leaders) – Burmeister, Kaylee 16; Hjerleid, Peytton 15

Site: Pensacola, FL (UWF Field House)
Date: Sep 02, 2017   Attend: 97   Time: 1:19
Referees: Helen Kelchner, Daniel Howard
Line judges: Harry Walker, Michael Dalton

Short Box Score (Match)
South Carolina-Aiken vs Southern Indiana (Sep 02, 2017 at Pensacola, FL)

South Carolina-Aiken def. Southern Indiana 26-24,25-13,25-10

South Carolina-Aiken (1-2) (Kills-aces-blocks) – Julia Forster 12-2-2; Christine Carroll 12-0-3; Alie Smith 12-1-1; Alicia Hines 5-0-0; Emily Teelon 3-0-1; Okwunne Ogbogu 2-0-0; Kelsey Spurlin 1-0-1; Lauren Howard 0-1-0; Totals 47-4-4.0. (Assists) – Emily Teelon 36. (Dig leaders) – Rebecca Martinez 18; Alie Smith 9; Natalie Perrault 9

Southern Indiana (0-4) (Kills-aces-blocks) – Humphrey, Mikaila 12-0-0; Whitfield, Te’Ayla 4-0-2; Yochum, Alyssa 3-0-0; Coleman, Elexis 2-0-0; Peoples, Erika 1-0-0; Jung, Amanda 1-0-0; James, Shawntel 1-0-1; Cepicky, Casey 0-0-1; Farrell, Shannon 0-1-0; Totals 24-1-2.0. (Assists) – Cepicky, Casey 12; Peoples, Erika 10. (Dig leaders) – Farrell, Shannon 9; Humphrey, Mikaila 8