University of Southern Indiana Volleyball looks to get back on track during its home finale this Friday, March 26 at Screaming Eagles Arena, also celebrating senior day for middle blocker Lauren English (Webster Grove, Missouri). USI dropped in the AVCA rankings to 25th following its struggles last weekend in Quincy.
The Screaming Eagles dropped back-to-back matches for the first time on the season on March 20 in the Quincy-hosted triangular, sending them to a 10-4 record. The Eagles now rank 25th nationally in the latest AVCA poll as a result but will look to continue their impressive season as they finish play in the GLVC East division over the next three weekends. Also being featured in this week’s poll are divisional-rival Lewis topping the national poll and GLVC-foe UMSL at eighth.
25th-ranked USI will take on the McKendree Bearcats on March 26 at 7 P.M. to close up Screaming Eagles Arena for the season and look to sweep the Bearcats in the season series. In Lebanon, the Eagles trumped McKendree 3-0 behind Katherine Koch’s 14 kills, Casey Cepicky’s 33 assists, and Sidney Hegg’s four blocks. The USI defense held the Bearcats to a hitting percentage of just .083, forcing 22 attack errors. Since the last meeting, USI has posted an 8-3 record while the visiting Bearcats are 5-3 in the same time frame, both squads come off back-to-back losses. Following the bout with the Bearcats, USI will close out against divisional opponents Indianapolis, Illinois Springfield, and No. 1 Lewis.
NOTES:
The Eagles have made strides on the season, receiving a national ranking for the first time in program history and reaching as high as 12th (3/3/21 poll). USI Volleyball currently ranks 25th nationally.
USI’s sophomore outside hitter Leah Anderson earned the program’s first AVCA National Player of the Week award since 2011 with her performance against Rockhurst and Lindenwood where she posted 34 kills and a hitting percentage of .446, amassing 38.5 points (6.42 points per set). (Release)
Senior setter Casey Cepicky has forced her way higher in the USI record book in career assists, ranking fourth all-time with 2,716. She ranked sixth to begin the season, dishing out 453 so far this year.
In the GLVC, USI has multiple players ranking highly in statistical categories, including: Kills - Leah Anderson 4th, Katherine Koch 10th; Aces - Leah Anderson 1st, Casey Cepicky 8th; Hitting Percentage - Taylor Litteken 5th; Assists - Casey Cepicky 5th; and Points - Leah Anderson 3rd.
USI Volleyball posted multiple impressive feats this season, recording five-striaght matches without losing a set, beating Illinois Springfield, UIndy, McKendree, Rockhurst, and Lindenwood. The 15-straight set wins were included in an eight-match win streak of victories as well with the Eagles beating Maryville, WIlliam Jewell, and Missouri S&T prior to their loss to UMSL.
HOW TO WATCH AND FOLLOW | March 26 | vs. McKendree | @ 7 P.M. While fans are not permitted to attend the games, they can watch free of charge on the GLVC Sports Network, which is available both you’re your desktop, mobile/tablet devices, as well as four over-the-top (OTT) platforms, including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV and Apple TV (4th Generation). GLVCSN.com is the official website of the GLVC Sports Network, while the GLVCSN mobile app is available for iOS in the App Store and Android on Google Play. Apple users also can use AirPlay with their Apple TV or some of the newer smart TVs. (GLVCSN FAQs)
