USI completes sweep of Lions for 10th home win of the season

11/15/2025

EVANSVILLE, Ind.- University of Southern Indiana Volleyball completes the sweep of Lindenwood University with another four-set win Friday night for the 10^th win of the 2025 regular season inside Liberty Arena.

The Screaming Eagles maintain their spot in third place in the Ohio Valley Conference standings, moving to 12-4 in conference play and 16-12 overall.

Set 1: USI 25, LU 20
Sophomore Audrey Small kicked off the match for the Screaming Eagles with a six-point serving run, gaining a comfortable lead for USI. OVC Freshman of the Week, Aysa Thomas, dished out 10 assists, two kills, and an exciting solo block. Junior Leah Coleman led the Eagles with four kills, followed by freshman Carley Wright, who landed three kills on no errors.

Set 2: USI 25, LU 16
The Screaming Eagles continued to control the advantage after starting set two with a quick lead that they maintained for the entire frame. Wright led the court in the set with six kills on no errors, hitting a .750 percentage. Thomas added eight assists and three more digs, leading her offense to an error-less set and a .577 team hitting percentage.

Set 3: LU 25, USI 18
Lindenwood bounced back from falling in the first two sets and took a quick lead in the third, which the Eagles struggled to come back from. Junior Ashby Willis doubled her kill count, adding five more to the board to lead the court.

Set 4: USI 25, LU 19
The fourth set had the most push and pull from both sides to start off, but the Eagles took the lead by the ninth point and maintained it. Willis had her best set of the night, adding eight kills with no errors to hit a .800 percentage. She also picked up six digs to keep the defensive front up.

For the game, Thomas finished with 39 assists, nine digs, four kills, and three blocks. Willis completed a double-double with 18 kills and 10 digs. Small picked up 14 digs and a season-high nine assists. Coleman followed Willis on the offensive attack with 14 kills.

Aces put up strong fight against Bulldogs

11/15/2025

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Drake wins in four sets

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – In a hard-fought contest from start to finish, Drake finished with a 3-1 win over the University of Evansville volleyball team inside Meeks Family Fieldhouse on Friday evening.

Hinsley Everett led the way with 17 kills and 7 digs for the Purple Aces. Ryan Scheu added nine kills while Brooke Herdes totaled 8 kills and 9 digs. Ainoah Cruz led all players with 21 digs while Maddie Hawkins finished with 12. Kora Ruff notched 26 assists with Lexi Owen tallying 15. Macy Daufeldt paced the Bulldogs with 13 kills with Kacia Brown picking up 12.

Set 1 – UE 28, Drake 26

After the Bulldogs scored the first three points of the match, a solo block by Chloe Cline got UE on the board as the Aces came back to tie it at 3-3. Drake regained control going back up 8-4 before Evansville rallied once again. A Brooke Herdes ace was followed by a Hinsley Everett kill that made it a 9-8 deficit. Two points later, Makenzie Miller’s ace knotted the score at 10-10 while two errors by DU would give the Aces their first lead at 12-10.

Drake tied the score at 14-14, but another response by the Aces saw them take their largest lead at 19-16 on a Miller kill. The Bulldogs rallied to tie the score at 21-21 and had a chance to take the set as they held a 24-23 lead. The Aces bounced back to take a 25-24 lead on a Miller/Herdes block before Everett’s kill clinched the set.

Set 2 – Drake 25, UE 21

In a similar fashion as the first set the Bulldogs had the early momentum. They started with a 4-2 lead before extending the advantage to 10-5. Chloe Cline registered a kill that made it a 2-point game at 11-9 before the Bulldogs regained the 5-point edge at 17-12. With DU still up by five at 22-17 the Aces made a final push. Kills from Herdes and Everett brought UE back within two at 23-21, however, the Bulldogs scored the final two points to tie the match at 1-1.

Set 3 – Drake 25, UE 15

Another quick start saw Drake record the opening four tallies before extending the lead o 12-4. Four Bulldog errors were followed by an Everett kill that cut the deficit to 12-9. From there, it was all Drake as they pulled away to win by a score of 25-15 and take a 2-1 lead in the match.

Set 4 – Drake 25, UE 21

Hinsley Everett picked up two early kills leading to a 3-3 tie while Maddie Hawkins added an ace to give UE a 4-3 edge. The Bulldogs countered to go up by five at 13-8. Ryan Scheu came in and picked up kills that cut the deficit to two (16-14) before another made it a 1-point contest at 19-18. Everett recorded an ace that tied the score at 21-21. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs had the final rally, scoring the final four points to clinch the match.

On Saturday, the Aces honor seniors Kora Ruff and Maddie Hawkins when they face Southern Illinois in the regular season finale. Match time has been moved up to 4 p.m.

THUNDERBOLTS HOLD OFF STORM, WIN FOURTH STRAIGHT GAME

11/15/2025

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Evansville, In.: With two early goals and more superb goaltending from Kristian Stead, the Thunderbolts held their ground and defeated the Quad City Storm 3-1 at Ford Center on Friday night. The Thunderbolts’ next home game at Ford Center will be on Friday, November 21st against the Knoxville Ice Bears at 7:00pm CT.

The Thunderbolts again jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first period, as Aidan Litke scored off a net-front scramble from Will van der Veen and Derek Contessa at 9:26, followed by Scott Kirton at 10:31 from Joey Berkopec and Isaac Chapman. The first period also featured three fights, Matthew Hobbs against Noah Massie just over a minute in, followed moments later by Van der Veen taking on Davis Kirkendall, concluding with Van der Veen squaring off against Storm captain Tommy Tsicos in the final seconds of the first period. Quad City got back to within one goal early in the second period as Leif Mattson scored on a power play at 2:29 to remove Evansville’s insurance, cutting the lead to 2-1. The Storm were unable to beat Stead again the rest of the way, and Chapman scored into the empty Storm net with 1:36 to go in regulation to seal the deal, 3-1 Evansville the final score, for their fourth consecutive win.

Chapman recorded a goal and assist while Litke and Kirton scored one goal each. In goal, Kristian Stead finished with 36 saves on 37 shots on goal for his 6th win of the season. The Thunderbolts and Storm meet again on Saturday, November 15th at Vibrant Arena at the MARK, with Evansville taking a 2-1 season series lead.

♪ DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC? ♪

11/15/2025

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GAVEL GAMUT

By Jim Redwine

www.jamesmredwine.com

(Week of 17 November 2025)

♪ DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC? ♪

My first experience with Indiana University football was in 1963 when the United States Air Force sent me to IU to learn the Hungarian language. IU lost six out of nine games that year. As is the case with most Indiana Alumni, I have clung to a hope IU would somehow, sometime, win a game in the fourth quarter rather than lose. Peg and I have attended many games filled with enthusiasm but left crushed by reality.

The cruelty of an Indiana winter’s sleet, snow and rain coupled with IU football faux pas has been an almost unrelenting Hoosier heartbreak for sixty-two years. We did finally reach the Rose Bowl in January 1968, but O.J. Simpson ran over us as easily as he later did the California justice system. Almost every one of those long journeys into darkness called an IU football season has been as fruitless as Linus believing Lucy would let him actually kick the ball. After about the first thirty-one years of ennui Peg and I resigned ourselves to the gods’ destiny for Indiana football and attended games just for the tailgate parties.

Of course, Bloomington, Indiana and the IU campus are beautifully accented by pristine limestone, beautiful fall leaves foliage and great college hangouts. We long ago quit watching for a football star in the east and returned to campus to relive those halcyon days of books and beer. So, Gentle Reader, imagine our amazement in 2024 when IU, that’s right IU, made the first college playoff. We were so mesmerized by the real-life fairytale we even celebrated the last two losses after the first ten wins.

Then along came November 08, 2025 and our game against Penn State, at Penn State, a place at which IU had never won. Peg and I were too attuned to IU’s history of hard play and last-minute losses to believe the so-called experts who predicted a two touchdown, easy IU victory. Our pre-game prayer was any victory by any score. And, while IU’s first nine victories this season somewhat lulled us into believing the hype, we never relaxed; we were right!

As had happened to us fans many times with Hoosier football, we marched right along into the end of the third quarter looking like the fabled Four Horsemen or Mr. Inside and Mr. Outside or even like Jim Thorpe had arisen to lead us. However, as had almost always happened before, the fourth quarter brought the enemy to life and was poised to sound the death knell for us. Peg and I were sanguine; we expected it. Once again, the pigskin devils had stricken IU to have us snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

But with seconds to go and trailing by four points, our Cream and Crimson heroes donned their capes and scored by one toe. It was truly a miracle! Shame on us for ever doubting. Now all I can say is watch out Ohio State and “Holy ‘smokes’, where’s the Tylenol?”

For more Gavel Gamut articles go to www.jamesmredwine.com

Or “Follow” us on Substack @gavelgamut

USI Women’s Basketball signs Shirley for 2026-27

11/15/2025

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EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Basketball announced the signing of Maddy Shirley to its incoming class of 2026-27.

“We are super excited to welcome Maddy to our family here at USI!” USI Women’s Basketball Head Coach Rick Stein stated. “She will be an awesome fit with our style of play and who we are as a program on and off the court. Maddy is a competitor and a winner, and she is a player who makes everyone around her better. She is tough, hard-nosed, and understands how to play the game on both ends of the court.”

Maddy Shirley (Evansville, Indiana) is a 6’0″ forward out of Evansville Central High School. Last season, Shirley averaged a double-double of over 25 points and nearly 12 rebounds per game as a junior. The forward shot for 54 percent from the floor, 44 percent from three, and 84 percent at the free-throw line. She also averaged just over three blocks per contest.

Shirley set numerous records in 2024-25, including a school and city single-season scoring record (715), a school single-game points record (46), and Central’s all-time scoring record (1,525). Additionally, Shirley set the school’s all-time rebounding record (756) and blocked shots record (208) after setting Central’s single-season record for rebounds (335) and blocks (91).

During her high school career, Shirley has been named back-to-back All-SIAC Player of the Year and All-Metro Player of the Year in 2023-24 and 2024-25. Plus, the local product was an Indiana Future All-Star in 2024 and an Indiana Junior All-Star in 2025.

Shirley was a member of Central’s 2022-23 Sectional Championship squad as well as last season’s team that went on to win the conference championship, sectional championship, and regional championship in 2024-25.

At the club level, Shirley was a top 10 3ssb scorer in 2024 and named to the 3ssb All-Tournament Second Team.

Shirley is one of two student-athletes to sign with the Screaming Eagles in the early 2026-27 signing period.

BURTON SHARES UPDATE ON REDISTRICTING DECISION

11/15/2025

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INDIANAPOLIS – Today, State Rep. Alex Burton (D-Evansville) issued the following statement reacting to the news that Senate Republicans will not move forward on redistricting:

“For more than 100 days, the conversation around redistricting has taken up attention at the Statehouse. During that same time, healthcare costs have gone up, utility bills are rising, child care has become harder to access, housing remains unstable and local governments are still searching for real support after SEA 1.

“As we head into session, my focus is on delivering solutions that actually meet these needs. Our farmers, first responders and families are counting on us to prioritize policies that put Hoosiers first.”

Academic support programs across Indiana

11/15/2025

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Looking for ways to help your child succeed in school? From elementary to high school, Indiana offers programs that provide students with academic support. Our state is focused on ensuring Hoosier kids have the tools they need to thrive in school and beyond.

Several tutoring resources are available across our state for students who may need additional help closing learning gaps or building stronger study habits. Providing young Hoosiers with a solid education foundation leads to more successful futures.

Tutoring resources for elementary, middle and high school students:

AskRose Homework Help: Free math and science tutoring for grades 6-12, available online, by phone or through chat.

IU Student Success Corps: Provides tutoring and mentoring through small group sessions, one-on-one interactions and virtual meetings.

Indiana Learns: Provides grants to eligible students in grades 3-8 for reading and math tutoring to help improve proficiency and confidence.

Indiana Online: Offers middle and high school students access to courses for credit recovery or enrichment.

Indiana 211: This database remains a key resource for finding local educational services, including potential tutoring resources. You can visit their website or dial 2-1-1 to connect with a resource specialist.

Schoolhouse.world: Supports students in grades 8-12 with free tutoring for SAT preparation, math courses and Advanced Placement courses. Provides live, small group tutoring virtually at no cost.

I am committed to supporting education and ensuring all students have access to resources that help them thrive academically. For assistance in finding local tutoring resources, dial 2-1-1 or visit Indiana 211. To learn more about what Indiana is doing to provide educational support, click here.

Sincerely,

Tim O’Brien,
State Representative

Big News at cMoe:

11/15/2025

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Evansville’s favorite children’s museum is making headlines with two major announcements:

November 18 at 10 AM – Ribbon Cutting for Play It Forward Enhancements
Experience bold new upgrades to the Gateway to Learning Lobby, Quack Factory: Nature to Nebula, and the launch of cMoe-to-Go, our mobile museum bringing STEAM fun to the community. Special guests include: Mayor Terry, IEDC’s Heidi Young and more.

November 21 at 3 PM – Dedication of “Like a Duck to Water” Exhibit
Celebrate the legacy of Karen Magan, visionary founder of cMoe, with an interactive exhibit honoring her passion for play and education. Special guest includes Tom Magan, husband of Karen.

Pigeon Creek Watershed Development Commission Agenda

11/15/2025

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Pigeon Creek Watershed Development Commission Agenda

November 17, 2025 – 10:00 a.m. CDT

Convening at Civic Center Complex, Room 301

1 NW Martin Luther King Jr Blvd

Evansville, IN 47708

1. Call to Order

2. Attendance

3. Pledge of Allegiance

4. Action Items

A. Old National Bank Certificate of Deposit Maturity.

5. New Business

A. Executive Director’s Insurance for 2026.

6. Old Business

A. Executive Director Contract/Job Description.

B. Healthy Waters Coalition.

C. Commission Website Update.

D. Burke GIS Mapping Update.

E. Truck Title/Registration Update.

F. WEX Fuel Program Update.

G. Office Supply Purchase Update.

H. IDEM 205j Stream Gage Grant Agreement.

7. Consent Items

A. Approval of October 27, 2025, PCWDC Meeting Minutes

B. Treasurer/Chair

1. Executive Director’s Report

i. Christopher Burke monthly report

2. Treasurer’s Report

3. Claims Voucher Reports

i. KDDK LLC Legal Fees – October 18, 2025, Statement #566197 for

$1,575.00.

ii. iii. Stipends for Meeting – Recurring Payments Allowed at $35 per meeting.

Contractual Services Payments to Christopher B. Burke Engineering for

services between September 28, 2025 to October 25, 2025 on invoice

no. 40455 dated October 29, 2025 for $11,680.97.

iv. Monthly Contractual Services Payments to Kathy Glaser for $550.00 paid

on November 6, 2025 (For October services).

v. Monthly Contractual Services Payments to Heathcotte & Weinzapfel, LLC

for $400 for September and October, paid on November 6, 2025.

vi. Recurring Payment for Executive Director Dickson’s Health insurance

premium for November of 2025 for $632.48 paid on November 18, 2025.Pigeon Creek Watershed Development Commission Member InformaƟon (Pursuant to IC 5-14-9):

LINDA FREEMAN, CHAIR

CHERYL MUSGRAVE, VICE-CHAIR

Elected Vanderburgh County Surveyor: 09/24/2024 – 12/31/2028

County Executive Appointment: 09/24/2024 – 09/24/2028

KARAN BARNHILL, SECRETARY/TREASURER

KRISTI JOHNSON, MEMBER

City Executive Appointment: 10/14/2024 – 10/14/2028

Indiana DNR Director Appointment: 10/14/2024 – 10/14/ 2028vii. viii. ix. x. xi. Invoice for Indiana Watershed Leadership Academy registration and

hotel fees, dated October 27, 2025, for $1133.00.

Invoice for three drawer locking file cabinet from Amazon.com for

$162.66 on November 7, 2025.

Invoice for a box of 8.5”x 11” copy paper from Amazon.com for $46.99

on November 7, 2025.

Receipt for truck license and registration packet to Indiana BMV for

$11.90 on October 24, 2025. A resubmission of the packet was required

due to an Indiana BMV error – they sent it back. Debit of $11.90 to USPS

on November 13, 2025.

Application fee and Speed Title fee for truck license and registration

packet to Indiana BMV for $40 ($15 application fee and $25 speed title

fee). This has not been processed by the IN BMV due to their error and

resubmittal of packet.

8. Public Comment

9. Adjournment

Pigeon Creek Watershed Development Commission Member InformaƟon (Pursuant to IC 5-14-9):

LINDA FREEMAN, CHAIR

Elected Vanderburgh County Surveyor: 09/24/2024 – 12/31/2028

KARAN BARNHILL, SECRETARY/TREASURER

City Executive Appointment: 10/14/2024 – 10/14/2028

CHERYL MUSGRAVE, VICE-CHAIR

County Executive Appointment: 09/24/2024 – 09/24/2028

KRISTI JOHNSON, MEMBER

Indiana DNR Director Appointment: 10/14/2024 – 10/14/ 2028

USI launches initiatives to help stock Archie’s Closet shelves for holiday season

11/15/2025

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The University of Southern Indiana invites the USI and Evansville communities to join efforts to help stock Archie’s Closet during the holiday season.

Through two initiatives, the University aims to strengthen Archie’s Food Closet, a campus resource supporting the health and wellness of students and employees, and make food more accessible across campus.

USI Public Safety is hosting a Stuff the Cruiser initiative to collect non-perishable items for Archie’s Food Closet. A Public Safety cruiser will be parked in front of Liberty Arena, Home of the Screaming Eagles during three upcoming home USI Basketball games: the first at 3 p.m. Sunday, November 16, the second at 6 p.m. Monday, November 17 and the third at 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 29.

Those wishing to donate can give items directly to the Public Safety employee or student worker stationed at the cruiser. Donations can also be dropped off at the Public Safety Office, located on the first floor of the Recreation, Fitness and Wellness Center, at any time.

High priority items needed for Archie’s Closet include:

Macaroni and cheese

Pasta

Pasta sauce

Crackers

Granola bars

Canned tuna and chicken

Pop-Tarts

Snack-related items

Additionally, the Recreation, Fitness and Wellness Center, in partnership with the Dean of Students Office, Disability Resources and Staff Council, will host a pop-up food pantry from Monday, November 17 through Tuesday, November 25 in the Fireside Lounge, located in University Center East. These pantries will provide convenient access to food items donated to Archie’s Closet, helping support members of the USI community in need.