The Screaming Eagles (6-6) were limited to just five kills and a negative attacking percentage in the opening set; while a six-point deficit midway through the second frame proved to be too much for USI to dig out of despite a late charge.

USI battled the Trojans (9-6) in the third set, but a late Trevecca Nazarene surge put the finishing touches on the Eagles’ three-set loss. USI was, once again, held to a negative attack percentage in the third frame while the Trojans, who hit .365 for the match, posted their best hitting percentage of the night with a .417 clip in the finale. USI hit just .011 for the match.

Freshman Leah Anderson (Bloomington, Illinois) had eight kills to pace the Eagles, while sophomore Casey Cepicky (St. Louis, Missouri) finished with 17 assists. Senior libero/outside hitter Mikaila Humphrey (Floyds Knobs, Indiana) had six digs to lead USI’s back row.

The Eagles return to action Friday at 7 p.m. when they travel to Liberty, Missouri, to take on William Jewell College in their Great Lakes Valley Conference opener.