RENSSELAER, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana volleyball team defeated Saint Joseph's College 30-26, 26-30, 30-25, 30-20 Friday night.

USI (9-7, 4-4 GLVC) overcame a slow start to win the first game and take a 1-0 lead in the match. The Screaming Eagles used an 8-2 run to turn an 18-18 tie into a comfortable 26-20 advantage en route to the first-game victory.

In game two, however, Saint Joseph's (9-8, 3-5 GLVC) rallied from a five-point deficit by using an 8-1 run to swing momentum into its favor and even the match at a game apiece. The Pumas hit .346 as a team in the second frame to earn the win.

USI used a 6-1 run to pull away in game three, then hit .368 in the fourth frame to clinch the match. The Eagles' defense held the Pumas to attacking percentages of .071 and .133 in the third and fourth games, respectively, to spur them to the victory.

Junior middle blocker Meg Buschman (Reynolds, Indiana) and freshman outside hitter Brittani Oliver (Indianapolis, Indiana) led the Eagles offensively. Buschman finished the match with 21 kills, a .429 attacking percentage, and five blocks, while Oliver hammered down 18 kills to go along with a .310 attacking percentage and eight digs.

Sophomore outside hitter Courtney Bealor (LaPorte, Indiana) chipped in 15 kills and 16 digs, while sophomore middle blocker Ashley Henricks (Greenwood, Indiana) attacked at a .360 clip and finished with 10 kills.

Senior setter Stephanie Wilson (Terre Haute, Indiana) racked up a match-high 58 assists to go along with 12 digs, while junior libero Amber Gogel (Ferdinand, Indiana) finished with 22 digs. Sophomore right side hitter/setter Melanie Pund (Ferdinand, Indiana) finished with five kills, seven assists, and 19 digs, while sophomore defensive specialist Julia Ridley (Madisonville, Kentucky) had 12 digs.

The Eagles finish their three-match road swing Saturday at 2 p.m. when they travel to Highland Heights, Kentucky, to take on No. 24 Northern Kentucky University.