EVANSVILLE, Ind. –University of Southern Indiana Volleyball (14-15, 10-8 OVC) hit a season-high four-game winning streak after taking down the University of Tennessee at Martin (8-20, 6-12 OVC) in the regular season finale, 3-0 (26-24, 25-17, 25-21), at Screaming Eagles Arena Thursday afternoon. The Screaming Eagles await their seed and opponent in the first round of the Ohio Valley Conference Championship.
An early advantage gave USI the upper hand late in the opening set, 26-24. The Eagles led early after a 5-0 run that included kills from senior outside hitter Leah Anderson (Bloomington, Illinois) and junior middle blocker Lauren O’Neill (Covington, Indiana) which resulted in a 7-2 lead. UT Martin slowly inched back throughout the game and later took a one-point lead. However, the Eagles’ offense struck with six kills in the last six points to claim the victory. Senior outside/right side hitter Abby Bednar (Chagrin Falls, Ohio) and Leah Anderson claimed three kills apiece in the final push. In the set, USI secured a match-high 18 kills with a 0.279 hitting percentage.
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The Eagles commanded the entire second frame, posting a 25-17 victory. USI was able to get a quick lead after kills from Bednar and sophomore libero/defensive specialist Keira Moore (Newburgh, Indiana) and continued to add on with three kills from sophomore middle hitter Bianca Anderson (Chicago Heights, Illinois) to go up 10-8. The Eagles would go on to score seven of the next 10 points to extend their lead to five. The Skyhawks would not go down easily as they cut the deficit to 19-16 after posting six kills in their own run. USI was able to hold off UT Martin’s late rally thanks to back-to-back kills from freshman outside hitter Leah Coleman (Hoover, Alabama) that started a set-sealing 6-1 run for the Eagles. USI’s offense played flawlessly in the second set, earning 16 kills with no errors and a stellar 0.533 hitting percentage. The Eagles’ defense stood tall in the game, allowing a match-low 10 kills.
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UT Martin pulled away with an early lead, but it was USI’s late surge that spoiled the Skyhawks’ comeback and handed the Eagles the 25-21 victory in the final set. Trailing 9-6, USI caught fire and went on a 7-2 run that flipped the script. During the stint, Leah Anderson tallied four kills while Coleman tacked on a pair of kills. UT Martin quickly retaliated and knotted the game up and later held a 20-19 advantage. As the Eagles proved before, no lead is safe late in a set as USI recorded six of the final seven points to claim the victory. It was another offensive slugfest in the last set with the Eagles totaling 17 kills and a 0.342 attacking percentage.
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Despite USI being down two starters, the Eagles’ fresh lineup filled the holes nicely. Leah Anderson stepped up with 17 kills with a whopping 0.405 hitting percentage off 37 total attacks. Her streak for consecutive double-digit kill performances is now at nine. Also securing double-digit kills were Bednar with 11 kills and a pair of aces along with Coleman who had a career-high 10 kills and three blocks to pair with seven digs in her second career start. Sobieralski posted a match-high 38 assists to go along with 15 digs for her fourth-straight double-double. Also getting more playing time was O’Neill who tacked on a pair of blocks and three kills.
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As a team, the Eagles posted 51 kills, 45 assists, and three aces to pair with 50 digs and three blocks. The Skyhawks recorded 40 kills, 34 assists, and four aces to go along with 44 digs and one block.
NEXT UP FOR THE EAGLES:
The Eagles are postseason-bound for the first time in the NCAA Division I era and will face either Morehead State or Lindenwood depending on results from Thursday’s action. No matter the opponent, USI will travel to Charleston, Illinois, and will play the first round of the championship on Monday.
