Saint Joseph's (11-11, 5-3 GLVC): 3
at Southern Indiana (10-10, 4-4 GLVC): 2
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EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana volleyball team battled back from a 2-0 deficit, but the comeback attempt was stopped short as Saint Joseph's College took the fifth set to defeat the Screaming Eagles 25-18, 25-19, 25-27, 23-25, 15-11 Saturday afternoon at the Physical Activities Center.
USI (10-10, 4-4 GLVC) struggled to get into any type of rhythm early in the match as it hit .154 and .083 in the first and second sets, respectively. Saint Joseph's (11-11, 5-3 GLVC) scorched the Eagles for four service aces in the opening frame, then racked up four blocks in the second set as it built a two-set cushion.
The Pumas looked to be in firm control of game three, but a 10-5 run helped the Eagles erase a 16-11 deficit and tie the match at 21-21. Despite the push, the Eagles had to fight off three match-point scenarios before scoring three straight points to extend the match to extra frames.
Sophomore middle blocker Danielle LaGrange, who had 15 of her team-high 18 kills in the last three sets, racked up seven kills in the fourth game to help the Eagles even the match at 2-2. USI hit a blistering .419 in the fourth frame to extend the match to a deciding fifth set.
Saint Joseph's, however, put a stop to the Eagles' momentum early in the fifth game as the Pumas reeled off four straight points to open the stanza. Still, the Eagles battled back, tying the set at 6-6; but a 4-0 Saint Joseph's surge quickly put the advantage back into the Pumas side as they handed the Eagles their first five-set loss of the season.
In addition to LaGrange, the Eagles got 13 kills, 19 digs, and three blocks from junior outside hitter Brittani Oliver. They also got 12 kills and 19 digs from senior outside hitter Courtney Bealor as well as a match-high 49 assists from freshman setter Ashley King.
Junior middle blocker Katie Knott gave the Eagles a big boost as she came off the bench in the second set to finish the match with seven kills and a block. Sophomore libero Krista Coccaro (Carmel, Indiana) added 15 digs in the loss.
The Eagles (10-10, 4-4 GLVC) return to action Friday when they compete in the Asics GLIAC/GLVC Crossover in Lansing, Michigan. Opponents and game times are to be announced.
