EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana volleyball team opens its 2007 GLVC schedule Friday at 7 p.m. when it hosts Quincy University in its home-opener at the Physical Activities Center. The Screaming Eagles finish their conference-opening weekend with No. 14 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Saturday at 3 p.m.

USI (4-3) is looking for momentum after winning two of three matches last weekend. The Eagles, who have won eight of their last nine conference-openers, have used a balanced attack throughout their first seven matches.

The emergence of sophomore right side hitter Kathi Hindman (Carmel, Indiana) as well as the presence of senior middle blocker Molly Rahman (Ferdinand, Indiana) and junior middle blocker Meg Buschman (Reynolds, Indiana) have given the Eagles a formidable offensive threat in addition to a solid block.

Hindman is averaging 3.78 kills per game in two matches as a right side hitter, while Rahman hit .424 and averaged 1.83 blocks per game last weekend. Buschman recorded 3.17 kills and 1.25 blocks in last weekend's contests and leads the Eagles with 2.93 kpg for the season.

As a team, the Eagles averaged 3.5 bpg last weekend. The presence at the net has allowed the Eagles' defense to average 17.80 digs per game in the first seven matches, good enough for third in the GLVC.

Junior libero Amber Gogel (Ferdinand, Indiana) leads USI with 3.97 dpg after averaging more than five digs per game in USI's last three matches.

Quincy enters the weekend's action with a 7-2 record, while the Cougars are 6-3 entering their match at Oakland City University Friday night. The Eagles are 17-11 since 1989 against the Lady Hawks after winning last season's match in four games. USI is 9-14 against the Cougars since 1989, having lost four straight in the series.