EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana volleyball team rallied in sets one and two to make competitive games, but could not win either as No. 17 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville swept the Screaming Eagles 31-29, 30-25, 30-15 Tuesday night at the Physical Activities Center.

In game one, the Screaming Eagles (15-9, 7-6 GLVC) overcame an eight-point deficit to tie the match at 29 before the Cougars reeled off back-to-back points to shut down the USI rally.

The Eagles rallied from an early 10-point deficit in game two to get to within three points, but SIU Edwardsville, once again, scored back-to-back points to close the door on the Eagle comeback attempt.

SIU Edwardsville (22-4, 13-0 GLVC), which ran its regular-season GLVC winning streak to 27, hit .389 in game three and held the Eagles to a .028 attacking percentage as it cruised to the 15-point match-clinching victory.

USI was led by junior middle blocker Molly Rahman (Ferdinand, Indiana), who had eight kills and a .421 attacking percentage. Senior outside hitters Emily Ryan (Batesville, Indiana) and Chelse Doubler (Griffin, Indiana) had 11 and 10 kills, respectively, while junior setter Stephanie Wilson (Terre Haute, Indiana) had 29 assists.

Senior defensive specialist Amanda Probst (Wheeler, Illinois) had 13 digs to lead USI defensively.

Kim Potthast led the Cougars with 15 kills and a .480 attacking percentage, while Kate Hofeldt and Mallory Clements finished with 12 kills and 38 assists, respectively. Beth DeGreef had 20 digs, while Clements finished with 10 digs.

USI returns to action Friday when it travels to Springfield, Missouri, to take on Drury University at 7 p.m. The Eagles finish the weekend Saturday at 3 p.m. in Kansas City, Missouri, when they take on No. 16 Rockhurst University in their final regular-season road match of the year.