EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Volleyball (5-7) swept the Indiana University Indianapolis Jaguars (5-7) in three sets (25-21, 25-21, 17-25) on Saturday afternoon at Screaming Eagles Arena. The Screaming Eagles win the USI Invitational going 2-0, along with finishing the week 3-0 ahead of Ohio Valley Conference play next weekend.
Set 1: USI 25, IU Indy 21
The beginning of the match had the back-and-forth rallies that suggested this game would go four or five sets. Junior Bianca Anderson continued her suffocating attack with a kill to make it 15-13 Eagles. Senior Jasmine Green capped off the 4-1 late run with a kill to earn the set one victory. The Jaguars struggled against the Eagles defense with a set-low .143 attacking percentage. The Eagles snapped a eight-game first set losing streak.
Set 2: USI 25, IU Indy 21
Junior Keira Moore fueled a 4-0 run breaking the sets back-and-forth stretches with a service ace and a precise assist to sophomore Ashby Willis. Sophomore Leah Coleman took her turn with consecutive kills making it a 21-15 lead. Green concluded another match with a titanic kill. USI tallied a set-high 15 kills in the second frame improving to 7-5 in second sets on the year.
Set 3: USI 25, IU Indy 17
The Eagles completely frustrated the Eagles force multiple service, setting, and attacking errors that became the difference. Senior Paris Downing notched her seventh kill on a .538 attacking percentage and senior Abby Weber placed a perfect service ace to help cap the match. Senior Carly Sobieralski dished her 20th assist to give her 12 straight 20+ assist games.
The statistical differences did not show any glaring differences, despite the three-set finish. However, time and time again USI seemed to grab the clutch points, denying the Jaguars of amounting any significant runs.
Coleman solely led the Eagles eight kills for the first time this in her career. Sobieralski reached her 20-assist mark with a limited three sets to work with. Willis played an impressive all-around match with a team-leading nine digs. Willis and Green both lead the Eagles with two blocks.
As a team, USI totaled 36 kills, 31 assists, 35 digs, five blocks, five aces, and a .286 hitting percentage. UE finished with 30 kills, 30 assists, 32 digs, four aces, two blocks and a .174 attacking percentage.
