Missouri S&T (20-12): 3
Southern Indiana (16-16): 0
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INDIANAPOLIS—Junior libero
Kayla Heldman broke the single-season school record for digs, but it was not enough to lead the University of Southern Indiana volleyball team to victory Friday afternoon as Missouri University of Science & Technology handed the Screaming Eagles a season-ending 25-18, 25-15, 26-24 setback in the opening round of the Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament.
Heldman finished the match with 12 digs, bringing her to a season total of 485—Amanda Probst held the former record with 475 digs in 2004. She ranks fourth all-time at USI with 1,258 career digs.
USI (16-16), the fourth seed from the East Division, jumped out to an early 7-4 lead in the opening set, but Missouri S&T went on a 6-1 run to take a 10-8 advantage. The Miners, the top seed from the West Division, earned the eight-point win the opener by ending the first game with a 7-3 push.
Missouri S&T (20-12) dominated the second set as it used a .324 attacking percentage and an early 4-0 run to grab a 10-point victory and a two-game lead.
USI, which likely needed to win the GLVC Tournament to earn a third straight trip to the NCAA II Tournament, battled back in the third set. The Eagles used runs of 5-0 and 4-0 as it built an 18-14 advantage.
The Miners, however, won seven of the next nine rallies to erase the Eagles' advantage and take a brief 21-20 lead. USI forged in front moments later to earn a set-point opportunity (24-23), but Missouri S&T won the next three points to end the Eagles' comeback hopes and their GLVC championship aspirations.
Sophomore outside hitter
Lauren DeShaney paced the Eagles with nine kills, while freshman right side hitter
Erica Oberbroeckling, who played outside hitter due to several key injuries in the Eagles' lineup, had seven kills. Junior setter
Jorae Bradbury had 20 assists and a team-high tying three blocks.
As a team, the Eagles were held to just 29 kills and a .071 attacking percentage. The Miners, meanwhile, racked up 46 kills and a .258 attacking percentage. Missouri S&T will face Lewis University in the semifinals Saturday at 4 p.m. (CST).
