USI falls to MSU, 3-0
EVANSVILLE, Ind. –University of Southern Indiana Volleyball (1-22, 1-11 OVC) hosted its annual Dig Pink Night Friday at Screaming Eagles Arena where the Morehead State University Eagles (12-12, 8-5) came away with the 3-0 sweep (25-14, 25-19, 25-23).
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The Screaming Eagles watched MSU kick off the opening frame with an 8-0 lead before winning the set, 25-14. Junior outside hitter Leah Anderson (Bloomington, Illinois) ended the drought with a powerful kill before MSU went on a quick 4-0 stint that made it 12-1. USI got three points back after a pair of MSU attacking errors and a kill from sophomore outside hitter Abby Weber (Fishers, Indiana). MSU took four of the next five points to take a 16-5 lead before USI went on a 4-0 run to cut the deficit to seven. The comeback was short-lived after MSU scored nine of the final 14 points to claim the one-set victory.
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Another strong offensive performance from MSU cost USI a 25-19 second set. USI was able to take a quick 2-1 lead after an MSU attacking error and a kill from sophomore middle hitter Paris Downing (Avon, Indiana). With the score tied a five, MSU went on a 6-0 run that had four kills and an ace to gain the lead. An ace and a kill from Anderson stopped the bleeding and allowed USI to play back-and-forth with MSU to 17-14. MSU dropped four straight kills to regain a seven-point gap before USI added three straight kills of their own. However, it was too late as MSU put up three kills in their final four points to take set two and a 2-0 match advantage.
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USI had a glimmer of hope in the final set but fell short, 25-23. Both teams were neck-and-neck early in the frame before a couple of short runs from MSU made it 10-6. Down by four, USI snagged three-straight thanks to Anderson who tallied back-to-back aces to cut the deficit to just one. However, MSU came back with a streak of their own to make it 18-14. With the help of a trio of service errors, USI was back in reach and struck with an impressive 3-0 stint, highlighted by a kill from sophomore outside/right side hitter Abby Bednar (Chagrin Falls, Ohio) to make it 21-20. MSU would nab a pair of kills to extend their lead before Anderson struck back that made the score 23-22. In the end, MSU got the upper hand and scored the final point to win their fourth in the last five matches.
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Anderson earned her third-straight double-double and 11th on the season after totaling 12 kills and 10 digs. She also led the group with three aces while sophomore defensive specialist/outside hitter Anna Ballengee (Montgomery, Indiana) tallied one. Bednar ended her night with six kills and three blocks while sophomore setter Carly Sobieralski (Indianapolis, Indiana) recorded a team-high 24 assists. Junior libero/defensive specialist Audrey Crowder (Avon, Indiana) stepped up with 13 digs while Weber had 13 digs.
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USI produced 32 kills, 30 assists, and four aces while adding 52 digs and a match-high seven blocks. MSU ended the night with 53 kills, 46 assists, and three aces along with 63 digs and three blocks.
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