EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana volleyball team is looking to climb up the GLVC standings this weekend when the Screaming Eagles host GLVC rival Northern Kentucky University Friday at 7 p.m. and Bellarmine University Saturday at noon.

USI (14-9, 6-3 GLVC) slid to fifth in the league standings last night after Lewis University lost to the University of Indianapolis in five games. A win Friday against Northern Kentucky would propel the Eagles into fourth place, while two wins and an Indianapolis loss would move the Eagles into third place.

The Eagles enter this weekend's action with a four-match winning streak, thanks in part to the recent play of junior outside hitter Emily Ryan (Batesville, Indiana). Ryan, who leads the team with 3.62 kills per game (kpg), led the Eagles with 20 kills and 21 digs in USI's 3-1 victory over Lewis last Saturday in Romeoville, Illinois. She is averaging 4.03 kpg in conference play.

USI's also has been solid at the net. The Eagles lead the GLVC in conference only matches with 3.05 blocks per game (bpg). Sophomore middle blocker Molly Rahman (Ferdinand, Indiana) and senior middle blocker Laura Ellerbusch (Newburgh, Indiana) lead the squad in GLVC matches with 1.35 and 1.32 bpg, respectively.

Nationally, sophomore setter Stephanie Wilson (Terre Haute, Indiana) is ranked 15th in assists per game (12.54). Wilson had 55 assists in USI's four-game victory over Lewis and eclipsed the 2,500 assist plateau for her career.

Prior to Friday night's match with NKU, the Eagles will honor Wilson, Ellerbusch, and junior libero Amanda Probst (Wheeler, Illinois) for reaching career milestones. In addition to Wilson's 2,500 assists, Ellerbusch has reached 1,000 career kills, while Probst has reached 1,000 career digs. Friday night's match also is USI's Student Athletic Advisory Committee Spirit Night for the volleyball team.

USI trails the all-time series with NKU 29-9, but has won four of the last five meetings with the Norse. NKU enters the match with a 17-4 overall record and a 5-2 mark in the GLVC.

The Eagles have defeated Bellarmine nine consecutive times dating back to the 1999 season. The Knights enter their match Friday night at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with a 10-8 overall mark and a 4-4 mark in GLVC play.