GAINESVILLE, Fla.- University of Southern Indiana Volleyball (2-4) ran into a buzz saw in the finale of the Florida Invitational against University of South Florida in a sweep (18-25, 21-25, 14-25). USF were the champions of the invitational going 3-0.
The Screaming Eagles struggled to stop a massive USF late ran, falling 18-25 in set one. Senior Carly Sobieralski (Indianapolis, Indiana) helped the Eagles stay within one point at 19-18 with eight assists. Senior Paris Downing (Avon, Indiana) smacked three early kills. The Bulls rallied for six straight points to clinch the early lead. USI tallied a match-high ten kills in set one.
USI battled USF trading points that included multiple strenuous rallies, but fell 21-25 in set two. The Eagles built an early 4-1 lead off a kill and block from junior Bianca Anderson (Chicago Heights, Illinois). Freshman Kerigan Fehr (Fairbury, Illinois) tallied a huge service ace to give her four on the weekend making it an 8-5 Eagles lead. Senior Lauren O’Neill (Covington, Indiana) stepped into the game making an immediate impact with a block, giving USI a 18-17 lead. However, the Bulls went on an 8-3 stretch to win the set.
South Florida exploded in the third set for 18 kills, finishing the Eagles 16-25. Sobieralski gave the Eagles consistency all weekend placing four perfect assists, giving the Eagles an early 7-4 lead. Sophomore Leah Coleman (Hoover, Alabama) and O’Neill swatted two kills as the Eagles trailed USF 11-10. The Bulls finished with multiple runs including a 9-1 finish to clinch the match.
Sophomore Ashby Willis (Mount Carmel, Illinois) Anderson, and Coleman each collected six kills. Sobieralski led the Eagles with 23 assists ending her five-game streak of double-doubles with just six. Junior Keira Moore (Newburgh, Indiana) led the squad with nine digs while senior Abby Weber (Fishers, Indiana) and Fehr both added aces. Anderson swatted three blocks as she’s average 4.2 per game.
As a team, USI finished with 27 kills, 25 assists, 34 digs, two aces, six blocks, and a .112 attacking percentage. The Bulls tallied 47 kills, 44 assists, 46 digs, seven aces, five blocks, and a .286 hitting percentage. USI leaves Gainesville stronger after playing the country’s top competition with numerous positive moments.
