EVANSVILLE, Ind.—Down 2-1 and with its back against the wall, the University of Southern Indiana volleyball team dug deep and found a way to win two straight games and defeat Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 29-31, 30-25, 23-30, 30-23, 15-12 Wednesday evening at the Physical Activities Center.

Junior middle blocker Laura Ellerbusch (Newburgh, Indiana) converted all five of her attacks into kills while recording three digs during the fifth game to help the Screaming Eagles remain atop the GLVC standings at 16-5 overall and 10-1 in the GLVC.

Ellerbusch finished with a match-high tying 19 kills and a team-high tying 16 digs as the Eagles won for the third consecutive time and remained unbeaten in the PAC (9-0).

In game one, USI overcame a 13-7 deficit and served for game-point (29-28), but the Cougars rallied to win three straight points and take a one-game lead in the match.

Ellerbusch recorded five kills in the second game as the Eagles stormed back to tie the match at 1-1. Senior middle blocker Leeanne Gross (Decatur, Indiana) had four kills in the second frame to help the Eagles into contention.

SIUE (18-6, 9-2 GLVC) hit .346 as a team in the third game as it took a 2-1 lead in the match. The Cougars recorded six blocks in the third frame and held the Eagles to a .122 attacking percentage.

The Eagles defense stiffened in the fourth game as they recorded five blocks and 24 digs to even the match at 2-2. USI held SIUE to a .038 attacking percentage in the fourth game.

Down 12-11 in the fifth game, sophomore outside hitter Emily Ryan (Batesville, Indiana) recorded two of her career-high 19 kills to give the Eagles a 13-12 lead before Ellerbusch reeled off two straight kills to finish the victory off. USI hit .400 as a team during the fifth game.

Freshman setter Stephanie Wilson (Terre Haute, Indiana) had a match-high 61 assists to go with 16 digs, six kills, and a .500 attacking percentage. Gross finished with 12 kills and 14 digs.

The Eagles will play the University of Indianapolis Friday at 7 p.m. in the PAC. Indianapolis enters the match with a 19-8 overall record and is tied with the Eagles atop the league standings with a 10-1 mark.