The University of Southern Indiana volleyball team is making its final preparations as it gears up for the 2002 season-opener this weekend at the University of North Alabama. The Screaming Eagles will be in search of their third straight 20-win season and their first NCAA Division II Tournament bid in 2002.

First up will be a tough UNA Tournament, which features eighth-ranked North Dakota State University and sixth-ranked North Alabama. USI will face NDSU in its season-opener on Friday, August 30, and face UNA in its first match on Saturday, August 31.

The four schools USI will play during the UNA Tournament posted a combined record of 121-30 and made an appearance in the 2001 NCAA II Tournament.

Although the Eagles face what could be their toughest opening weekend in school history, they are no strangers to tough competition. Last September USI knocked off an eighth-ranked Northwood University in GLVC/GLIAC Crossover. In all, the Eagles knocked four NCAA II Tournament teams a year ago.

Leading the way for the Eagles is a pair of All-Great Lakes Valley Conference and All-Region performers. Senior outside hitter Shannon Wells (Merrillville, Indiana) and junior setter Kim Boehmer (Cincinnati, Ohio) led the GLVC in service aces and assists, respectively.

With four matches this weekend and USI's home-opener on Monday, September 2, Boehmer could become USI's all-time leader in career assists by Labor Day. She currently ranks second with 2,507 career assists and needs 163 to become USI's all-time leader.

USI will play two matches Friday and two more Saturday. In addition to North Dakota State and North Alabama, the Eagles will play Bryant College and Henderson State University.

The Eagles will host McKendree College at 5 p.m. next Monday.