JOPLIN, Mo.—The University of Southern Indiana volleyball team rebounded from a season-opening loss to No. 21 Augustana College by defeating Pittsburg State University 28-30, 30-27, 30-21, 30-21 Friday in the Missouri Southern Invitational.

USI (1-1), got 12 kills and nine blocks from senior middle blocker Laura Ellerbusch (Newburgh, Indiana) as well as 12 and 10 kills, respectively, from junior outside hitters Chelse Doubler (Griffin, Indiana) and Emily Ryan (Batesville, Indiana) to overcome the one-game deficit.

The Screaming Eagles, which saw a 12-point advantage in game one evaporate, got a match-high 17 digs from sophomore middle blocker Molly Rahman (Ferdinand, Indiana) and 45 assists from sophomore setter Stephanie Wilson (Terre Haute, Indiana). Sophomore defensive specialist/setter Cara Keever (Ft. Wayne, Indiana) chipped in 12 digs in the victory.

Doubler led the Eagles with 10 kills in their 30-24, 30-26, 30-21 loss to Augustana earlier in the morning. Wilson finished with 32 assists, while junior libero Amanda Probst (Wheeler, Illinois) had a match-high 17 digs in the loss. It marked just the second time since 1996 that the Eagles have lost their season-opener—the last coming in 2002, a year they took home their first GLVC championship.

USI will do battle with Emporia State University Saturday at 9 a.m. before concluding its opening weekend at 3 p.m. with a match against No. 18 Washburn University.