EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana volleyball team is getting a break from GLVC action this weekend, but is not getting a break from tough competition. The Screaming Eagles, which are in a three-way tie for eighth in the latest NCAA II Great Lakes Regional Rankings, travel to Florence, Alabama, to take on the No. 7-ranked University of North Alabama Lions at 5 p.m. Saturday.

USI (15-10) defeated the Lions, 3-2, back in September, marking the only blemish on UNA's record. UNA enters the week's action with a 24-1 record and is the top-ranked team in the South Central Region.

Senior middle blocker Laura Ellerbusch (Newburgh, Indiana) led the Eagles with 19 kills and a .429 attacking percentage in USI's last meeting with the Lions. The match propelled Ellerbusch to AVCA Division II National Player of the Week honors.

The Eagles, who took UNA to five games in Florence a year ago, also got 18 kills from junior outside hitter Emily Ryan (Batesville, Indiana) and 62 assists from sophomore setter Stephanie Wilson (Terre Haute, Indiana) in the victory.

For the season, Ryan leads the team with 3.59 kills per game, while Ellerbusch is second on the squad with 3.35 kpg and first on the team with 1.09 blocks per game. Wilson is tops on the team with 12.30 assists per game.

Defensively, the Eagles are led by junior libero Amanda Probst (Wheeler, Illinois). Probst is averaging a team-best 3.93 digs per game.

Senior outside hitter Vanessa Ferretti led UNA in the loss to USI. Ferretti, who is averaging 5.79 kpg and a .348 attacking percentage, racked up a match-high 29 kills against the Eagles.

UNA plays at the University of West Alabama Friday night prior to the match with USI Saturday.