EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana volleyball team opens its 2008 GLVC schedule when it hosts Missouri University of Science & Technology in its home-opener Friday at 7 p.m. at the Physical Activities Center.

USI (5-3) concludes its GLVC-opening weekend Saturday at 3 p.m. when it plays host to the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

The Screaming Eagles, who are 5-0 against non-ranked opponents, enter league play on the heels of a three-match winning streak.

Entering this weekend's action, the Eagles continue to sport one of the league's top defensive units, holding opponents to an attacking percentage of .158. USI, which ranks fourth in the GLVC in opponent hitting percentage, leads the league with 2.17 blocks per set and is third in the conference with 16.66 digs per game.

Senior middle blocker Meg Buschman (Reynolds, Indiana) and sophomore libero Janae Curnutt (Arcadia, Indiana) have led the Eagles' defensive efforts. Buschman is second in the GLVC with 1.25 blocks per set, while Curnutt is second in the conference with 4.48 digs per set.

Missouri S&T (2-8, 0-1 GLVC) enters the PAC having lost seven straight matches after opening the season with a 2-1 record, while Missouri-St. Louis (7-2, 1-0 GLVC) is one of the hottest teams in the league having claimed wins in seven of its last eight matches.