University of Southern Indiana Volleyball announced its 2021 fall schedule Tuesday.
This year’s schedule, which begins with an exhibition against the University of Evansville August 24, features a full non-conference slate of games, beginning with four matches at the University of West Florida Springhill Suites Invitational September 3-4 in Pensacola, Florida.
The Screaming Eagles open their home schedule September 9 when they host the University of Alabama-Huntsville to begin the USI Invitational. This year’s Invitational features 10 matches, all inside Screaming Eagles Arena, with USI taking on the University of Missouri-St. Louis in a non-conference match as well as Davis & Elkins College September 10. USI finishes the weekend the following day when it hosts Midwest Region foe Wayne State University.
“We are excited to able to unveil a full schedule for fans and our student-athletes,” third-year Head Coach Randi Raff said. “With all of our starters back along with a talented and prepared reserve, we wanted to create the opportunity for growth in the preseason with a tough non-conference schedule, which I believe is the only way to truly prepare us for the competitive grind of the GLVC.”
USI begins defense of its Great Lakes Valley Conference title September 16 when it hosts Maryville University at Screaming Eagles Arena. That match is one of 13 regular-season home matches for the Eagles, nine of which are GLVC contests.
In addition to Maryville, USI hosts McKendree University September 28, Truman State University October 1, and Missouri-St. Louis October 2. The Eagles return to Screaming Eagles Arena after nearly a month away when they host William Jewell College October 29. They also host Drury University October 30, the University of Indianapolis November 2, the University of Illinois Springfield November 9 and Lewis University for Senior Day November 13.
“It’s exciting to open our doors to the fans once again, giving our student-athletes the special experience of performing in front of a live audience,” Raff said. “We can’t wait to reignite our fan base and bring in new fans of this great sport this fall. Nothing beats watching an exciting and competitive volleyball match in person and I believe we will have an awesome fan experience for volleyball addicts as well as folks who are new to the game.”
USI’s GLVC road schedule begins September 18 when it visits Missouri University of Science & Technology in a rematch of last season’s GLVC Tournament championship match; a bout the Eagles won in five sets.
The Eagles visit Lewis September 25 in a rematch of last season’s regular-season finale that saw USI knock-off the then previously unbeaten and top-ranked Flyers in five sets. The two teams opened last season with a five-set thriller at Screaming Eagles Arena that the Flyers came out victorious in.
Other road matches include trips to Indianapolis October 5, Rockhurst University October 8 and Southwest Baptist University October 9. USI takes part in the Midwest Region Crossover October 15-16 at the Hammond Sports Complex in Hammond, Indiana, before resuming league play with a trip to Illinois Springfield October 22.
USI’s remaining road contests include trips to McKendree October 23, Quincy University November 5 and Lindenwood University November 6.
The GLVC Championship Tournament returns to the EastSide Centre in East Peoria, Illinois, November 18-20, while the NCAA II Midwest Region Tournament is slated for December 2-4 at a site to be determined.
USI’s ultimate goal will be advancing to the NCAA II Volleyball Championship, which is December 9-11 in Tampa, Florida.
Schedule Notes
• Eagles look to defend GLVC title. USI is looking for its second straight GLVC title this fall after winning the GLVC Tournament during the COVID-altered 2020-21 campaign last spring. USI’s conference championship marked the third time in program history the Eagles have won the GLVC title and the first time since 2004.
• Back to a full slate. USI is playing a full slate of non-conference games after being limited to an 18-match conference-only schedule during the regular season last spring. The Eagles have a total of 29 matches on the docket for this fall, including 11 non-conference matches and their 18-match conference schedule.
• Big return. USI brings back nine players, including all its starters, off a team that finished the 2020-21 season 17-4 overall and ranked No. 15 in the final AVCA Top 25 Coaches’ Poll. That list includes senior setter Casey Cepicky (St. Louis, Missouri) and senior libero Callie Gubera (Thorntown, Indiana), both of whom are returning for their fifth year of eligibility due to NCAA COVID-19 rules. Middle blocker Sidney Hegg (Menasha, Wisconsin) rounds out this year’s senior class.
• Speaking of rankings. Last spring marked the first time in program history that USI Volleyball found itself in the Top 25 of the AVCA Division II Coaches’ Poll. USI was ranked as high as No. 12 at one juncture during the season.
