Charleston, Ill. – University of Southern Indiana Volleyball (1-26, 1-15 OVC) began its final roadtrip of 2022 with a 3-0 loss (25-23, 25-20, 25-22) to Eastern Illinois University (15-14, 9-7) Wednesday night at Lantz Arena.
Â
A late Screaming Eagles rally comes up short as USI falls 25-23 to the Panthers in the opening frame. It was a quick 3-1 EIU lead until an ace from sophomore outside hitter Abby Weber (Fishers, Indiana) got some offense going for USI. The Eagles were able to keep the set within a couple of points until EIU used a 3-0 run to make it 12-8. Down 19-13, the Eagles scored six of the next eight points to cut the deficit to just two. Leading that late surge was freshman middle hitter Bianca Anderson (Chicago Heights, Illinois) who put up two kills during the stretch. However, the EIU advantage was too much as USI dropped the first set. The Eagles put up 12 kills and a .241 hitting percentage compared to the Panthers’ 17 kills and a .343 hitting percentage.
Â
Despite having the early lead, USI watched EIU stroll to a 25-20 victory in the second game. The Eagles jumped out to a 5-2 lead that was capped off with an ace from sophomore outside hitter/defensive specialist Anna Ballengee (Montgomery, Indiana). USI was able to extend its lead to 15-11 due to a momentum-shifting kill from junior outside hitter Leah Anderson (Bloomington, Illinois). However, EIU turned the tables with a 7-1 run that found the Panthers in the lead, 18-16. A pair of kills from Anderson and sophomore outside/right side hitter Abby Bednar (Chagrin Falls, Ohio) tied the set at 18 apiece. Despite a last-second effort, USI watched EIU go on a 6-1 game-winning run to go up 2-0 in the match. The Eagles were able to get 13 kills, but it was the Panthers’ 17 kills that made the difference.
Â
Back-and-forth action results in an EIU match-winning victory, 25-22. USI took the early 5-3 lead before a short 3-0 stint from EIU took the Eagles’ lead away. USI was able to put up seven of the next 12 points to regain the lead, 12-11. However, it was a short-lived advantage as the Panthers pushed forward with a 6-2 run that surrendered the Eagles’ lead and gave EIU the 17-14 advantage. There was still hope for USI as the Eagles stormed back by scoring eight of the next 12 points and spotted them a 22-21 lead. Despite the late surge, USI allowed the Panthers to end the set with a 4-0 run.
Â
L. Anderson led the team with 12 kills while Bednar produced 11 kills to earn a .194 hitting percentage. Ballengee recorded a team-high nine digs while Bednar and B. Anderson each threw down two blocks. Leading the passing game for USI was sophomore setter Carly Sobieralski (Indianapolis, Indiana) who finished with 31 assists.
Â
As a team, the Eagles finished the night with 38 kills, 36 assists, and four aces while adding 35 digs and two blocks. The Panthers put up 49 kills, 38 assists, and six aces with 38 digs and five blocks. USI’s offense was consistent, nabbing 12 kills in the opening frame and 13 kills in the second and third frames.
Â
