Opener set for Thursday at UE
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – In its final pair of non-conference matches, the University of Evansville volleyball team faces USI in a home-and-home series this weekend. On Thursday the Purple Aces welcome the Screaming Eagles to Meeks Family Fieldhouse for a 6 p.m. contest before the rematch takes place on Saturday at 4 p.m. inside Liberty Arena.
Recapping the Weekend
– Last weekend, Evansville hosted its home tournament going 1-2 with a victory against Western Illinois
– UE dropped a 5-set match to UAB in the tournament opener before falling by a 3-0 final in the final to Morehead State
– Sabrina Ripple was named to the All-Tournament Team after posting 1.85 kills and 0.92 blocks per set
Reaching a Milestone
– With 17 digs against UAB, Ainoah Cruz passed 1,000 for her career
– Her top effort of the weekend was a 27-dig performance in the win over Western Illinois where she added nine assists
– Cruz remains third in the MVC with her season average of 4.86 per set
– She was named the MVC Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 8 after averaging 4.59 digs per set
– At the GSU Invitational, Cruz finished the weekend with an average of 5.38 digs
All-Tournament Accolade
– Sabrina Ripple averaged 1.85 kills and 0.92 blocks on her way to All-Tournament honors at UE’s home tournament
– Ripple had the top offensive showing of her career, totaling 13 kills in the win over WIU
– Highlighted by seven total blocks against PFW and WIU, Ripple is 8th in the league with her average of 1.05 blocks per set
– She has multiple blocks in each of her matches this season
– Her .287 hitting tally is 14th in the MVC
Scouting the Opposition
– USI comes into the weekend with a 2-8 record with victories over Northern Kentucky and Miami Ohio
– They were victorious in both meetings last season
