EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Southern Indiana volleyball team looks to find the winning combination this weekend as it opens the 2013 season on the road.
The Screaming Eagles travel to Pensacola, Florida. to compete in the Hemingway's Invitational, hosted by University of West Florida, where they will face four non-conference opponents over a two-day period.
-TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
USI takes on Albany State University, Friday at 2 p.m. then Northern Michigan University in the nightcap at 7 p.m. On Saturday the Eagles face fourth-ranked University of Minnesota-Duluth at 11:30 a.m. followed by No. 18 Wheeling Jesuit University at 4:30 p.m.
-COACHING STAFF
Ninth-year Head Coach Leah Mercer enters the 2013 season with nine returning letter winners and the hopes of capturing the Great Lakes Valley Conference title. Last year Mercer and Co. advanced to the GLVC tournament but fell to No. 1 Missouri University of Science and Technology in the opening round. USI finished the season at 16-16 overall and 12-6 in the GLVC.
Kathleen Yony returns for her third season as assistant coach for the Eagles.
-POSITION BREAKDOWN
Defensive Specialists
Seniors Kayla Heldman (Greenwood, IN) and Kristy Gerardot (Ft. Wane, IN) lead this year's defensive pack. Last year Heldman set a single-season school record with 485 digs and ranks fourth all-time at USI with 1,258 career digs. Gerardot made the switch from outside hitter to defensive specialist last season and ended with 173 digs. Sophomores Erin Goldschmidt (Smithton, IL) and Haley Bowden (Channahon, IL) both made an impact on the Eagles' back row and finished the 2012 season with 153 and 137 digs, respectively.
Middle Blockers
A young duo made up of sophomore Abbey Winter (Germantown, IL) and freshman Amy Zwissler (Bloomington, IN) will work together this year at the net. In her first season with the Eagles, Winter finished third in the GLVC with a team-high 1.16 blocks per set.
Hitters
The hitters make up majority of the team, led by key returning junior outside hitters Lauren DeShaney (Appleton, WI) and Fawn Ryan (Batesville, IN), and sophomore right side hitter Erica Oberbroeckling (Wesfield, IN). DeShaney racked up 322 kills last year in 32 matches. Ryan returns to the position after switching over to middle blocker last year. Midway through last season, Oberbroeckling earned a starting role and helped bolster the Eagles' attack and back row. Outside hitter Gretchen Burdo (Delta, OH) and right side hitter Alaina Page (Logansport, IN) hope to contribute in their debut collegiate seasons.
Setters
The Eagles will look to senior Jorae Bradbury (Decatur, IN) to keep the setting pace on the court this year. Bradbury ranks third all-time at USI in career assists with 2,793. Last year she ranked eighth in the GLVC with a team-high 9.17 assists per set. Freshman Paige Newvine (Elkhart, IN) joins the team after a successful run at Elkhart Memorial High School in Elkhart, Indiana, where she was the team-leader in assists as a junior and senior.
-MULTIMEDIA
Fans can follow Friday and Saturday's live stats at: http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/uwf.portal#
-LOOKING AHEAD
Following USI's season-opening weekend, the Eagles make their way to Findlay, Ohio, to compete in the Townplace Suites Classic.
