University of Southern Indiana Volleyball suffered a pair of losses Friday to open its 2017 season at the University of West Florida Hampton Inn-Vitational.
The Screaming Eagles’ rally in their opener against the University of North Alabama fell short as the Lions held on for a 25-19, 25-20, 22-25, 22-25, 16-14 win. USI suffered a 25-17, 25-18, 25-14 setback to host West Florida in its nightcap.
Both North Alabama and West Florida are receiving votes in the preseason AVCA Top 25 Coaches’ Poll.
USI (0-2) concludes its opening weekend with bouts against No. 2 Southwest Minnesota State University and the University of South Carolina-Aiken Saturday at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.
North Alabama def. Southern Indiana 25-19, 25-20, 22-25, 22-25, 16-14 (Box Score)
The Eagles rallied from a two-set deficit to force a decisive fifth game in their five-set loss to North Alabama. USI, however, could not hold on to a 10-6 lead late in the fifth frame.
The Lions (1-1) used a 7-1 run to take a 13-11 lead late in the decisive set. USI rallied for two straight points to tie the frame at 13-13; then fought off a match-point situation moments later to tie the contest, once again, at 14-14. North Alabama, however, got back-to-back kills from Lexie Bradley to earn the 16-14 fifth-set win and 3-2 match victory.
Senior middle hitter Te’Ayla Whitfield (Fort Wayne, Indiana) had 12 kills and six blocks to lead the Eagles, while sophomore middle hitter Shawntel James (Elkhart, Indiana) racked up 10 kills and eight blocks.
Sophomore outside hitter Mikaila Humphrey (Floyd Knobs, Indiana) added nine kills and five aces, while senior libero Shannon Farrell (Munster, Indiana) added 18 digs.
USI, which finished the match with 11.5 blocks and 11 aces as a team, hit just .147. The Lions, meanwhile, amassed a .244 attacking percentage, including clips of .333 and .310 in the first two sets.
West Florida def. Southern Indiana 25-17, 25-18, 25-14 (Box Score)
West Florida racked up 51 kills and a .432 attacking percentage to hand the Eagles a three-set loss in their second match of the day.
USI battled the Argonauts to a 10-10 tie early in the opening frame, but a 9-0 run allowed West Florida to run away with the eight-point win. West Florida used a 5-1 run to establish early control of the second stanza and, after the Eagles trimmed a large deficit to two points late in the game, slammed the door on a USI comeback with a 5-0 run for the seven-point triumph.
The Argonauts hit .500 in the third set and used a 13-2 run to turn an 8-6 USI lead into a commanding 19-10 advantage.
Humphrey and freshman outside hitter Alyssa Yochum (Columbia, Illinois) each had nine kills to pace USI, offensively, while freshman setter Casey Cepicky (St. Louis, Missouri) had 25 assists.
