Eagles prepare for upcoming bouts against Quincy and Drury
University of Southern Indiana Volleyball earned the 13th national ranking following its 2-0 weekend and its improvement to 10-2 on the season. The Screaming Eagles look ahead to the upcoming battle against the Quincy Hawks (RV) and Drury (RV) to close out their non-divisional schedule for the season.
In the latest AVCA Poll, the Screaming Eagles moved up three places and currently rank 13th. USI pushed its way back into the top 15 with another sweeping victory over Southwest Baptist, the team’s sixth victory by sweep on the season, and a 3-1 drubbing of a tough Truman State team.
Up this weekend is the Quincy-hosted GLVC triangular, where the Eagles will take on host-Quincy at 9:30 A.M. and then Drury at 12:30 P.M. Hosting Quincy owns a 10-4 record on the season, splitting results last weekend against Missouri S&T (L) and Indianapolis (W). Drury holds a 6-6 record so far, also splitting results on March 13 against McKendree (W) and UMSL (L).These are USI’s final two regular season games outside of its GLVC East division as the Eagles will conclude the season against divisional rivals, playing McKendree, Indianapolis, Illinois Springfield and top-ranked Lewis to finish the season.
LAST WEEKEND (3/13/21):
No. 16 USI ramped back up following its 1-1 weekend on March 6 at the Missouri S&T triangular, where the Eagles lost only their second game of the season (then-No. 7 UMSL). USI showed out early and often in both matches, winning the first set against SBU by 14 points and Truman by eight. The Screaming Eagles bested the Bearcats in all major statistical categories enroute to the 3-0 sweep, including kills (37 to 23), aces (8 to 1), blocks (5 to 3), assists (30 to 21), and digs (54-40). Truman State gave the 16th-ranked Eagles some trouble with a stingy net defense and by flying around for digs, defusing the Eagles’ typical offensive bombardment; USI still prevailed through the tough matchup, 3-1.
NOTES:
USI Volleyball has now been raned in every AVCA poll since February 10th, when it received its first national ranking in program history, earning 18th. Since its first national ranking, the Eagles earned their highst ranking ever at 12th. USI is currently ranked 13th nationally.
For her performance on February 20, sophomore Leah Anderson earned both an GLVC Offensive POTW and USI’s first AVCA National POTW award since 2011. (release)
Senior setter Casey Cepicky now sets her sights on fourth all-time in the USI record books for career assists, sitting only 12 (2,657) behind Carly Messman (1997-99), who owns 2,669 assists in her USI career.
In the GLVC, the Screaming Eagles inhabit many high rankings throughout statistical categories; Anderson ranks first in aces (0.61 per set) and fourth in kills (3.37 per set) and points (4.24 per set), Cepicky ranks fifth in assists (9.05 per set) and seventh in aces (0.35 per set), Katherine Koch ranks 10th in kills per set with 2.75, Sidney Hegg and Taylor Litteken both are in the top 10 in hitting percentage with Hegg ranking second (.345) and Litteken fifth (.319).
HOW TO WATCH AND FOLLOW:
While fans are not permitted to attend the games, they can watch free of charge on the GLVC Sports Network, which is available both you’re your desktop, mobile/tablet devices, as well as four over-the-top (OTT) platforms, including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV and Apple TV (4th Generation). GLVCSN.com is the official website of the GLVC Sports Network, while the GLVCSN mobile app is available for iOS in the App Store and Android on Google Play. Apple users also can use AirPlay with their Apple TV or some of the newer smart TVs. (GLVCSN FAQs)
Previews, live game updates, and post game information can be found via USI Athletics (@USIAthletics | #GoUSIEagles) social media accounts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
USI Volleyball can be followed directly on Twitter (@USIVolleyball) and Instagram (@USI_wvolleyball) as well for team updates.
