Southern Indiana (20-9, 14-4 GLVC): 3
at Bellarmine (13-12, 7-11 GLVC): 1
Line Score: 23-25, 25-15, 25-21, 25-23 (
Box Score)
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Senior middle blocker
Danielle LaGrange had 15 kills and 15 digs as the University of Southern Indiana volleyball team rallied from a one-set deficit to defeat Bellarmine University 23-25, 25-15, 25-21, 25-23 in its regular-season finale Saturday afternoon.
With the win, the Screaming Eagles (20-9, 14-4 GLVC) have reached the 20-win plateau for the first time since 2004 and have locked up the fifth-seed in next weekend's Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament.
After watching the host Knights (13-12, 7-11 GLVC) hit .333 and rally from a three-point deficit to win the opener, the Eagles stormed back in the second frame by hitting .346 and posting a .750 side out percentage to grab a 10-point win and even the match at a set apiece.
The Eagles fought off a late Bellarmine rally in the third set to post a four-point win and take a 2-1 lead in the match; then won four of the final six points in the fourth frame to complete the four-set victory.
In addition to LaGrange, who had nine of her 15 kills in the final two sets, the Eagles got 10 kills from freshman outside hitter
Lauren DeShaney as well as 10 kills and six blocks from sophomore middle blocker
Emily Diedrich.
Sophomore setter
Jorae Bradbury finished with 35 assists, five kills, a .400 attacking percentage, and 14 digs, while sophomore libero
Kayla Heldman added 11 digs for the Eagles, who swept the season-series from the Knights.
USI, which tied with No. 18 Northern Kentucky University for third in the GLVC East Division standings, will face the Norse in the opening round of the GLVC Tournament next Friday in Indianapolis, Indiana.