The University of Southern Indiana volleyball team opened its 2002 season with a 3-1 loss to eighth-ranked North Dakota State University this afternoon at the University of North Alabama Volleyball Classic in Florence, Alabama. The Screaming Eagles opened the match with a 30-26 win in game one, but lost the next three.

Senior outside hitter Shannon Wells (Merrillville, Indiana) and sophomore middle blocker Natalie Atzinger (Louisville, Kentucky) led the Eagles. Wells finished with a match-high 15 kills while Atzinger poured in 14 kills and a team-high .235 hitting percentage.

Junior setter Kim Boehmer (Cincinnati, Ohio) tallied 40 assists while senior outside hitter Kristina Kavanaugh (Montgomery, Indiana) recorded a team-high 11 digs.

The Eagles will face Bryant College later this evening and will play host North Alabama as well as Henderson State University Saturday afternoon. UNA is ranked sixth amongst NCAA Division II volleyball teams.