Mizuno GLVC/GLIAC Crossover website
EVANSVILLE, Ind.—The University of Southern Indiana volleyball team enters the Mizuno Great Lakes Valley Conference/Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Crossover Friday and Saturday in Aurora, Illinois, as the GLVC's No. 3 seed.
USI (9-9, 7-2 GLVC) opens the two-day event Friday at 11:30 a.m. when it takes on the GLIAC's No. 8 seed, Northern Michigan University, at the Great Lakes Center. USI also plays the GLIAC's No. 4 seed, Wayne State University, Friday at 5:30 p.m. before concluding the weekend Saturday at 1 p.m. with a match against Ferris State University, the GLIAC's No. 2 seed.
Live stats for all three matches can be accessed at gousieagles.com.
The Screaming Eagles, who have won nine of their last 11 matches to reach the .500 mark for the first time this year, are looking to avenge a five-set loss they suffered to Northern Michigan at the “Middle of Everywhere” Classic in Rolla, Missouri, last month.
Northern Michigan (12-6, 5-4 GLIAC) has lost four of its last six matches after opening the year with a 10-2 record. In their meeting with the Eagles earlier this season, the Wildcats battled back from a one-set deficit to hand USI its seventh-straight loss to begin the season.
USI also looks to avenge a five-set loss it suffered to Wayne State at last year's GLVC/GLIAC Crossover. The Warriors (12-5, 7-2 GLIAC), who have lost two-straight matches entering this weekend's crossover, also battled back from a one-set deficit to defeat USI in their meeting with the Eagles last year.
The Eagles conclude the weekend with No. 21 Ferris State, a team that handed USI a three-set loss in last year's season-opening FSU Bulldogs Classic. The Bulldogs (14-3, 8-1 GLIAC), who have won eight-straight matches, are the fourth nationally-ranked team the Eagles have faced this year.
USI is coming off a pair of wins against GLVC West Division foes Quincy University and the University of Illinois Springfield.
Junior middle blocker
Emily Diedrich, who hit .610 in the two matches, recorded 4.50 kills and 1.00 blocks per set to lead USI, which improved to 6-0 at the Physical Activities Center. Sophomore outside hitter
Fawn Ryan averaged 4.83 kills per set and hit .456 to aid the Eagles.
