EVANSVILLE, Ind.---The University of Southern Indiana volleyball team opens Great Lakes Valley Conference Tournament play up Friday at 5 p.m. (CDT) when it faces No. 24 Truman State University in the opening round at Neil Carey Arena in Romeoville, Illinois.
 
The Screaming Eagles (24-7, 15-3 GLVC) enter the single-elimination tournament as the No. 3 seed from the East Division, while the Bulldogs grabbed the No. 2 seed from the West Division after finishing the regular-season with a 21-10 overall record, 14-4 in GLVC play.
 
GLVC Tournament Pairings: Lewis University (23-8, 16-2 GLVC) earned the top seed and the rights to host this year's GLVC Championship Tournament. The Flyers take on the No. 4 seed out of the West Division, University of Missouri-St. Louis (17-14, 10-8 GLVC), at 7:30 p.m. (CDT) following the match between USI and Truman State.
 
The first round of the tournament, slated for a Noon (CDT) start, features the No. 2 seed out of the East, University of Indianapolis (21-9, 15-3 GLVC), versus the West Division's No. 3 seed Missouri S&T.
 
West Division champion Rockhurst University (25-6, 15-3) takes on Bellarmine University (15-13, 9-9 GLVC) in round two at 2:30 p.m. (CDT)
 
Eyes On Regionals: Despite dropping one match last week, the Eagles held their No. 4 spot in the final edition of the NCAA Midwest Regional Poll. Grand Valley State University of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference remains at No. 1 with conference opponents Ferris State University and Northwood University in second and third. The GLVC's Lewis, Indianapolis and Truman State are fifth, seventh and ninth, respectively. Ashland University and Northern Michigan of the GLIAC complete the list at No. 6 and No. 10.
 
USI receiving votes: For the third week in a row, the Eagles (8) are receiving votes in the AVCA Division II Coaches Top 25 Poll. Truman State, who fell one spot to No. 24 in this week's edition, is the lone GLVC School left in the national ranking as Rockhurst dropped out after holding the No. 25 spot last week.
 
Conference leaders: USI continues to lead the conference in blocks, averaging 2.71 per frame, which has contributed in a league-low opponent hitting percentage of .133.   
 
Sophomore middle blocker Abbey Winter (Germantown, Illinois) heads into this weekend's tournament leading the GLVC in blocks, averaging 1.64 per frame, while sophomore right side hitter Erica Oberbroeckling (Westfield, Indiana) leads in service aces, averaging 0.38 per frame.  
 
Truman State Notes: TSU finished its final week of regular-season GLVC play with a 2-1 record, first sweeping Quincy University, 3-0, then falling to Maryville University in four sets before defeating the University of Missouri-St. Louis 3-2.

Truman State, who is vying for their first GLVC Championship title, features Allie Brak, who is second in the conference in kills, averaging 3.84 per set. The Bulldogs are hitting a .215 against conference schools, while holding them to a .143 mark.
 
Eagles vs. Bulldogs: Though TSU leads the all-time series record, 3-1. USI upset the then ranked No. 20 Bulldogs in four sets back in early November.
 
Winter led in USI's win over TSU with a match-high 13 kills and seven blocks. Senior Jorae Bradbury (Decatur, Indiana) and senior libero Kayla Heldman (Greenwood, Indiana) also tallied match-highs with 39 assists and 32 digs, respectively.
 
Tracking the GLVC Championship Tournament: Live statistics along with a live video feel will be available for all matches. A link is provided on the Eagles' volleyball schedule page on gousieagles.com.
 
Ticket Information: Ticket prices for all of this weekend's matches are $10 for adults and $7 for children age three and up. An all-tournament pass is available for $25 and children under two are admitted free of charge. For more information visit glvcsports.com.