SOMERS, Wis.---The University of Southern Indiana volleyball team dropped a five-set thriller 15-25, 25-18, 25-17, 17-25, 7-15 to the University of Wisconsin-Parkside in a Great Lakes Valley Conference road contest in Somers, Wisconsin Saturday afternoon.
USI (11-7, 4-5 GLVC) fell behind early in the first set, before making a late push. The Rangers would stifle the Eagles' charge in a 25-15 set victory for Wisconsin-Parkside (12-6, 6-3). The Eagles had a .000 attacking percentage in the first frame, while the Rangers hit .225.
The Eagles started fast in the second set. USI jumped out to a slight 13-11 lead before using a 6-1 run to break open the second frame. The Rangers would not go quietly, keeping pace with the Eagles late in set two. USI would finally take control and finish of Wisconsin-Parkside 25-18.
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The third set much resembled the second set, as the Eagles earned a 25-17 victory. This time, USI was not able to break free from the Rangers as early as the second frame. Tied at 13-13, the Eagles churned out a 5-1 run to open an 18-14 lead.
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Wisconsin-Parkside opened the fourth set with a furious 17-7 run. A run would be assembled by the Eagles, as USI cut the Rangers' lead to 17-14. With much of the momentum in USI's favor, Wisconsin-Parkside would formulate a 3-0 run en route to a 25-17 set victory.
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In the all-important fifth set, the Rangers kept their fourth set momentum and utilized it to jump out to a quick lead. UWP led 8-4 at the switch and then weathered an Eagles' run, winning the final set 15-7.
Senior middle blocker
Abbey Winter (Germantown, Illinois) powered the Eagles with 17 kills and three block assists, while amassing a .406 hitting percentage. Senior right side hitter
Erica Oberbroeckling (Westfield, Indiana) compiled 13 kills, 17 digs, and a .143 hitting percentage on the afternoon, while sophomore libero
Shannon Farrell (Munster, Indiana) recorded 26 kills. Freshman
Erika Peoples (Bloomington, Illinois) led USI in hitting percentage with .571 and four kills.
The Eagles return to action Friday in the Midwest Region Crossover in Aurora, Illinois at the Great Lakes Center. The crossover schedule featuring opponents and times will be released Saturday evening.
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