EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana volleyball team opens its 2005 home schedule Wednesday when the No. 5-ranked University of North Alabama Lions visit the Physical Activities Center for a 7 p.m. showdown.

USI (7-7) has won 17 consecutive matches at the PAC and was a perfect 13-0 on its home court in 2004.

Wednesday's match is the first of two non-conference home matches for the Screaming Eagles this week. USI will host Tiffin University Saturday at 2 p.m. after traveling to Owensboro, Kentucky, Friday to take on Kentucky Wesleyan College in a 7 p.m. GLVC match.

Saturday's slate also will see Southern Illinois University Edwardsville take on Tiffin at 5 p.m.

The Eagles are attempting to bounce back from a 3-0 setback at Rockhurst University this past Saturday. USI committed 24 attacking errors in the loss and could not rebound from early deficits as it fell to 1-1 in the GLVC.

Junior outside hitter Emily Ryan (Batesville, Indiana) is starting to establish herself as a go-to threat for the Eagles. She is averaging a team-best 3.90 kills per game in USI's last six matches.

For the season, Ryan leads the Eagles with 3.36 kpg, while sophomore setter Stephanie Wilson (Terre Haute, Indiana) leads the squad with 12.28 assists per game.

Defensively, the Eagles are led by freshman libero Amber Gogel (Ferdinand, Indiana) and senior middle blocker Laura Ellerbusch (Newbugh, Indiana). Gogel is tops on the squad with 3.78 digs per game, while Ellerbusch leads the Eagles with 1.02 blocks per game.

UNA (13-0), which won the 2003 national championship, is at home tonight against the University of West Georgia. Senior outside hitter/middle blocker Vanessa Ferretti leads the Lions with 6.16 kpg, while junior setter Laura Bellinger leads the squad with 14.58 apg.