EVANSVILLE, Ind.- University of Southern Indiana Volleyball announced the signing of seven new recruits to be added to the 2025 fall roster. The class consists of five freshman, one sophomore already enrolled in spring classes, and a junior from the JUCO ranks for the upcoming season.

“We’re thrilled to welcome the newest members of the USI Volleyball family,” says head coach Jeffrey Aucoin. “These outstanding student-athletes believe in the vision of our program and are ready to contribute to its bright future. This class represents a pivotal moment in our journey, joining a group that has already laid a strong foundation for success. Each new addition brings something unique to the table and will leave a lasting impact on our program. More importantly, they’ll be exceptional ambassadors for USI Volleyball, our athletic department, and our university as a whole. We can’t wait to have them on campus this August!”

McKenzie Murphy | 6’0 | Middle Blocker/Hitter | Fort Scott, Kansas
The native of Fort Scott transferred to USI after two years at Hutchinson Community College. As a freshman and sophomore, Murphy totaled 349 kills (177 in 2024, 172 in 2023) and 297 blocks. The middle blocker brings experience and a proven track record as the Eagles lost two important middles to graduation. She also earned a spot on the presidential honor roll in the summer of 2023 and the vice president’s honor roll in the fall of 2023. At Fort Scott Murphy was named to the 2022 Southeast Kansas League First Team unanimously after a SEK League Second Team placement in 2021.

Grace Bach | 6’1 | Middle Blocker/Hitter | South Elgin, Illinois
Bach joins USI after a three-year varsity career at South Elgin High School in South Elgin, Illinois. During her high school career, Bach made the Upstate 8 All-Conference squad in her senior year along with being named team MVP. She led her team in kills (114) and blocks (51) in her final year. The upstate Illinois native was named to the top 20 players to watch in the Fox Valley Area. She played with Club Fusion Volleyball and Pipeline Volleyball Club. Bach chose USI for the team aspect, campus, facilities, and coaches.

Mackenzie Nettles | 5’10 | Pin | Wheaton, Illinois
Nettles heads to Southern Indiana after a four-year varsity career at Wheaton North High School in Wheaton, Illinois. Nettles was named to the Dukane Conference All-Academic team and All-Conference Athletic Team during her playing career. Nettles was quotes saying, “I chose USI because of the culture I felt as soon as I walked on campus. I felt a sense of ease and happiness on campus and knew I would be able to succeed here as an athlete and as a student.” Nettles also played for Club Fusion Volleyball.

Ava Carpenter | 6’0 | Outside Hitter | Sycamore, Illinois
Carpenter will join USI next fall as a freshman after earning multiple high school accolades in her senior season. At Sycamore High School, Carpenter was named conference MVP in 2024, Daily Chronicle Player of the Year, and First Team All-Conference. The outside hitters dominate presence will be on full display this fall at Liberty Arena. Carpenter also played for Club Fusion.

Carly Wright | 6’0 | Outside Hitter | North Richland Hills, Texas
Wright travels the farthest among the 2025 class, joining the Eagles from North Richland Hilla High School just outside of Dallas and Fort Worth. The incoming freshman and the rest of the class looks to fill an outside hitting void following the departure of graduate senior Jasmine Green. Wright posted an impressive high school career, earning First Team All-District in 2022, 2023, and 2024. She also earned All-State in 2022, along with being named team MVP in 2023 and 2024. Wright excelled in the classroom as an Academic All-District member in 2021-25.

Audrey Small | 5’5 | Libero | O’Fallon, Missouri
Small has already joined the Eagles enrolled in spring classes after a stellar freshman season transferring in from University of North Alabama. Small will enter her sophomore season next year as a defensive specialist or libero. The O’Fallon native earned an Atlantic Sun Conference All-Freshman Team selection, racking up 506 digs (4.36 DPS). The transfer also totaled 114 assists and 20 service aces. Small posted two 30 dig performances and looks to continue denying attackers this fall.

Aysa Thomas | 5’9 | Setter | Brownsburg, Indiana
Thomas joins the Eagles as an incoming freshman from Brownsburg High School where she helped her team win four sectional championships, along with an elite eight appearance in 2022. Individually, Thomas was an IHSVCA All District selection in 2024. She also earned First Team All-Conference in 2023 and 2024. She also excels in the classroom achieving 2024 Academic All State and Brownsburg Honor Roll.  She finished high school with a monstrous 3,763 career assists and 1,276 career digs. Thomas explained “I choose USI because of the coaching staff, players, amazing facilities, and support system.”

VINCENNES, Ind. – The Vincennes University baseball team opened another busy week at Jerry Blemker Field Monday afternoon by hosting the Blue Knights from Olney Central College.

The Trailblazers fell behind early but were able to get the offense going late to pull away and pick up the 9-4 victory over Olney Central.

Vincennes got off to a slow start Monday afternoon, with Olney Central breaking onto the scoreboard with a run in the first and another run in the second to take a quick 2-0 lead.

VU would get a run back in the third after a leadoff single by sophomore Brody Fessel (DePauw, Ind.), who came around to score on an RBI single by freshman Evan Doran (Indianapolis, Ind.), cutting the deficit in half at 2-1.

Olney Central would get another run on the board in the fifth to increase their lead to 3-1 before the Blazers came firing back in the sixth inning.

Vincennes opened an action packed sixth inning with a double by Evan Doran, which was immediately answered by an RBI single by sophomore Nate Montgomery (Lexington, Ind.) and an RBI double by freshman Carter Gricius (Scottsburg, Ind.) to even the score at 3-3.

VU would get their first lead of the day on an RBI single later in the inning by sophomore Yancey Edlin (Pekin, Ind.) to put the Blazers on top 4-3.

Vincennes would get another run in the seventh after a leadoff walk by Brody Fessel, who advanced on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore Bryce Gross (Bridgeport, Ill.) and continued around the bases on a pair of wild pitches to put the VU lead at 5-3.

Olney Central would answer back with a run in the eighth before the Blazers broke the game open with four big runs in the bottom of the eighth.

Vincennes opened the eighth inning with the first five batters reaching base safely.

Nate Montgomery got things started with a single, followed by an RBI double by Carter Gricius, his second of the day.

Sophomore Corbin Napier (Indianapolis, Ind.) reached on a hit by pitch, Edlin reached on a fielder’s choice and a single by freshman Jevan Andrews (Hobart, Ind.) loaded the bases for the Blazers.

Bryce Gross came up and cleared the bases with a two-RBI single, with Andrews scoring on the play on a fielding error to give the Blazers a 9-4 lead going into the ninth.

Olney Central looked to rally late in the ninth and were able to get the bases loaded with one out before Vincennes was able to get the Blue Knights to ground into a double play to end the game and give the Blazers the 9-4 victory.

Freshman Jacob Allen (Vincennes, Ind.) got the start on the mound for the Trailblazers and threw four and two-thirds solid innings, allowing three runs, two earned runs on five hits and four strikeouts.

Sophomore Colton Okes (Evansville, Ind.) was the first out of the pen for the Trailblazers, throwing three innings, allowing one run on one hit and striking out two.

Freshman Ty Stultz (Terre Haute, Ind.) came in to pick up the four-out save for the Blazers, throwing the final one and one-third innings, allowing two hits and striking out one.

“We got it done because our pitchers did a great job with Jacob Allen starting, Colton Okes and Ty Stultz coming in at the end keeping the damage minimal and holding them to a run here and there and kept us within striking distance,” VU Head Baseball Coach Chris Barney said. “They didn’t give up a big inning and the good thing that happened for us was that we were able to take advantage of their mistakes and stepped up in some key situations to put some crooked numbers on the board.”

“Nate Montgomery comes through at the plate with a big RBI,” Barney added. “Then Gricius, who has been doing it all year, has two doubles for two RBIs. Yancey Edlin got an RBI and then obviously Bryce Gross getting two RBIs in the eighth. We got production throughout the order. The middle of the lineup did a good job. Guys did a good job of getting on base. Evan Doran had an RBI and was two for four with a double and barreled up his last at bat with a line drive to center field. So the guys were swinging it well today.”

The busy week continues for the Trailblazers as Vincennes will look to pick up another mid-week win over an NJCAA Division I opponent Wednesday, April 23 when VU hosts Volunteer State Community College from Gallatin, Tenn. First pitch Wednesday is set for 2 p.m. eastern.

The Blazers will then return to Jerry Blemker Field this weekend as VU hosts Spoon River College for a Mid-West Athletic Conference (MWAC) series Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27. First pitch both days is set for 12 p.m. eastern.