EVANSVILLE, Ind.—Behind some solid efforts from junior middle blocker Laura Ellerbusch (Newburgh, Indiana) and senior middle blocker Leeanne Gross (Decatur, Indiana), the University of Southern Indiana volleyball team defeated Lincoln Memorial University 30-24, 30-18, and 30-16 to win its season-opener Friday night in the USI Invitational at the Physical Activities Center.

Ellerbusch recorded a match-high 18 kills and a .739 attacking percentage, while Gross tallied 14 kills and a .500 attacking percentage. Freshman setter Stephanie Wilson (Terre Haute, Indiana) rang up 46 assists and eight digs in her first collegiate action.

USI trailed 21-18 in game one, but pushed eight straight points to take a commanding 26-21 lead. The Eagles jumped out fast in both the second and third games to seal the victory.

The win marks the first of new Head Coach Molly Alvey's career and is the seventh time in eight years that the Eagles have started their season off with a victory.

Defensively, the Eagles were led by sophomore outside hitter Amanda Probst (Wheeler, Illinois) and senior right-side hitter Natalie Atzinger (Louisville, Kentucky). Probst finished with a game-high 15 digs, while Atzinger was close behind with 13.

As a team, USI held LMU (1-1) to a .066 hitting percentage, including a negative mark in the second game.

USI will take on the University of Central Arkansas (0-2) and the University of Alabama-Huntsville (0-1) Saturday at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively. Central Arkansas lost to LMU and the University of Indianapolis, both in three games, on Friday, while UAH fell to Indianapolis in three games as well.

USI NOTES: Gross recorded five service aces to bring her career total to 140. She needs five more to move into third on USI's all-time list…the Eagles are now 85-6 since 2000 when winning game-one of a match…USI has now won 97 matches since 2000.