The University of Southern Indiana volleyball program will start its 2004 campaign this Friday when the Screaming Eagles host the five-team USI Invitational at the Physical Activities Center.

In addition to the Eagles, the USI Invitational features the defending GLVC champion University of Indianapolis Greyhounds, the University of Alabama-Huntsville Chargers, the University of Central Arkansas Sugar Bears, and the Lincoln Memorial University Lady Railsplitters.

The Eagles will play Lincoln Memorial Friday at 7 p.m., Central Arkansas Saturday at noon, and Alabama-Huntsville Saturday at 4 p.m. A detailed schedule of the invitational is listed below.

USI was 21-9 overall, 8-6 in the GLVC, in 2003 and was just three-points away from a second-consecutive GLVC title and trip to the NCAA II Tournament after making it to its fourth straight GLVC Tournament championship match.

Under the leadership of new Head Coach Molly Alvey, the Eagles will be looking for their fifth straight 20-win season. USI has averaged 24 wins during the last four seasons.

Top returnees include senior Leeanne Gross (Decatur, Indiana) and junior Laura Ellerbusch (Newburgh, Indiana). Gross, a two-time All-GLVC performer, led the Eagles in kills (3.74 kpg) last season and ranks fourth all-time at USI with 1,144 career kills and 135 career service aces.

Ellerbusch, an All-GLVC performer last year, averaged 3.29 kills per game in 2003 and led the Eagles in attacking percentage (.358) and blocks per game (1.03).

The Eagles will look to freshmen Stephanie Wilson (Terre Haute, Indiana) and Cara Keever (Ft. Wayne, Indiana) to fill the shoes of former All-American setter Kim Boehmer. Wilson led Terre Haute North High School to back-to-back sectional titles as well as the regional finals in 2002 and 2003.

Keever was an All-Conference performer at Bishop Luers High School where she was a member of two section and regional championships squads.

Friday, August 27
Lincoln Memorial vs. Central Arkansas, 12:30 p.m.
Indianapolis vs. Alabama-Huntsville, 2:30 p.m.
Central Arkansas vs. Indianapolis, 4:30 p.m.
Southern Indiana vs. Lincoln Memorial, 7 p.m.

Saturday, August 28
Alabama-Hunstville vs. Central Arkansas, 10 a.m.
Southern Indiana vs. Central Arkansas, Noon
Indianapolis vs. Lincoln Memorial, 2 p.m.
Southern Indiana vs. Alabama-Huntsville, 4 p.m.

First team listed is the home team in each match.