Junior Elexis Coleman (Joliet, Illinois) racked up 17 kills against Ohio Dominican, while sophomore Casey Cepicky (St. Louis, Missouri) dished out 68 helpers, putting her well within reach of eclipsing 1000 assists in her young career on Saturday.
The day started with the Eagles taking on Ohio Dominican. USI took the first set quickly, outscoring Ohio Dominican 25-12. The Panthers put up a hard-fought second set before the Eagles took it 27-25, with Coleman finishing the set with three consecutive kills. USI convincingly ended the match with a 25-13 third set.
Coleman’s 17-kill performance was amplified by her .536 attack percentage, while adding 12 digs, two service aces and two blocks, giving her an impressive double-double in the opener.
Sophomore Alyssa Yochum (Columbia, Illinois) made her presence felt as well, adding 10 kills and a block.
Senior libero Haley Limper (Springfield, Illinois) held down the back row with 18 digs as Cepicky finished with 37 assists.
The freshman middles, Taylor Litteken (Forsitell, Missouri) and Sidney Hegg (Menasha, Wisconsin), took no time to adjust to their new arena as they combined for 12 kills on a .545 attack percentage.
The Eagles returned to the PAC to take on the Thorobreds of Kentucky State in the nightcap. USI swept the Thorobreds with scores of 25-18, 25-13 and 25-17. The Eagles held their opponent to an attack percentage of .010, not allowing any Thorobred to post more than six kills in the match.
Cepicky added 31 assists, seven digs and two service aces against Kentucky State.
Litteken took another step forward with 10 kills on a .444 percentage and four blocks. USI posted nine blocks as a team.
Everyone contributed for the Eagles in collecting Kentucky State’s attacks as five different Eagles posted five or more digs in the match; Limper led the way with eight.
USI posted 15 or more kills in four of its six sets on Friday while only surrendering 10-plus kills in three of the six sets.
The Eagles return to the PAC Saturday at 2 p.m. to face Minnesota State University-Makato. USI concludes the weekend against the Fighting Scots of Edinboro University Saturday at 7 p.m.
