EVANSVILLE, Ind.—Sophomore outside hitters
Chelse Doubler (Griffin, Indiana) and
Emily Ryan (Batesville, Indiana) combined for 25 kills and a .333 attacking percentage as the University of Southern Indiana volleyball team swept the University of Indianapolis 30-20, 32-30, 30-21 to advance to the GLVC championship match for the fifth straight season Friday night in front of a Physical Activities Center crowd of 550.
The top-seeded Screaming Eagles (22-6) will play second-seeded Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Saturday at 2 p.m. for the conference's automatic bid into the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Regional Tournament.
USI set the tone from the start as it hit .386 and used an 18-9 run to take a decisive advantage in the opening game. Junior middle blocker
Laura Ellerbusch (Newburgh, Indiana) recorded six of her 10 kills to aid the Eagles in the first frame.
After a back-and-forth battle in the second game, the Eagles used a 14-6 run to close out the third and final set. USI held the Greyhounds to a .053 attacking percentage in the final game and a .177 clip for the match as it improved to 12-0 at home this season and extended its home-winning streak to 16.
Senior middle blocker
Leeanne Gross (Decatur, Indiana) led the Eagles defensively, recording a season-high 18 digs. Freshman setter
Stephanie Wilson (Terre Haute, Indiana) had 37 assists and set USI's attack to a match-hitting percentage of .258.
USI also took advantage of the serving game, recording nine service aces while holding the Greyhounds to just one. The Eagles also benefited from 10 Greyhound service errors.
Doubler, who had 13 kills and a .400 attacking percentage, finished with a match-high three service aces.
The Greyhounds (23-13) were led by Shaun McAllister's 16 kills and Kristin Lay's 16 digs. Deanna McClure had a match-high 42 assists to go with 10 digs.