EVANSVILLE, Ind. –University of Southern Indiana Volleyball (1-23, 1-12 OVC) could not get going against Morehead State University (13-12, 9-5 OVC) Saturday afternoon at Screaming Eagles Arena, falling 3-0 (20-25, 25-27, 19-25).
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A late run by MSU cost the Screaming Eagles the opening set, 25-20. It was a slow start for USI after not securing an offensive point until a service ace from sophomore outside/right side hitter Abby Bednar (Chagrin Falls, Ohio) that brought the offense to life and tied the set at eight apiece. MSU put up eight of the next 12 points to regain the lead at 16-12. However, a trio of attacking errors from MSU and a pair of kills from USI brought the Eagles within one. Trailing 20-19, USI was not able to capture their first lead of the match due to MSU’s 5-1 run that ended the set.
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USI held a solid lead late in the second set but watched MSU slowly steal the 27-25 second-set win. Junior outside hitter Leah Anderson (Bloomington, Illinois) kicked off the game with a kill before freshman middle hitter Bianca Anderson (Chicago Heights, Illinois) and sophomore middle hitter Paris Downing (Avon, Indiana) each tacked on a kill of their own to help USI gain a 4-3 advantage. MSU returned the favor with a few kills and an ace to give themselves an 8-6 lead. USI was able to get three-straight points to regain the lead, 9-8; however, MSU tallied six of the next nine points to make it 14-12. This is when USI stormed back with a 5-0 stint, ending with an ace from sophomore outside hitter Abby Weber (Fishers, Indiana) that gave the Eagles a 17-14 lead. Despite being down, MSU came back and took the lead once again to force extra play. The second frame ended with three-straight offensive points for MSU to give them a 2-0 match advantage.
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The final frame ended with a 25-19 victory for MSU. USI was able to get the lead early with a couple of MSU errors and a kill from Downing and Bednar to make it 5-3. Both sides traded the lead up until MSU went on a 4-0 run that gave them a 20-16 advantage. An MSU service error and Downing kill brought USI back to life, but it was too late as MSU ended the match on a 4-1 surge that ended USI’s night.
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Sophomore setter Carly Sobieralski (Indianapolis, Indiana) highlights USI’s efforts, recording her seventh double-double this season by nabbing 28 assists and 10 digs. L Anderson finished the match with 11 kills, nine digs, and three blocks while B Anderson tallied nine kills with three blocks. Bednar earned 10 digs along with two aces while Downing had four blocks to lead all players. Junior libero/defensive specialist Audrey Crowder (Avon, Indiana) completed the match with 10 digs, her third straight double-digit dig game.
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USI produced 35 kills, 32 assists, and three aces along with 50 digs and eight blocks. MSU ended the night with 44 kills, 43 assists, and five aces to go with 61 digs and four blocks.
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