EVANSVILLE, Ind.—In a must-win contest, University of Southern Indiana Volleyball utilized strong starts in the final three sets to power its way to a 18-25, 25-22, 25-18, 25-19 Great Lakes Valley Conference victory over visiting McKendree University on Senior Day on Saturday afternoon at the Physical Activities Center.
USI (21-10, 10-8 GLVC) struggled to gain a grip on momentum in the opening set, as the Bearcats (21-10, 15-3 GLVC) used a 6-0 run at the midway point of the set to pull away in a 25-18 victory.
The Screaming Eagles struck back in the second set with a ferocious 10-1 run out of the gates. Out of a timeout- McKendree responded with a 6-1 run of their own to close the gap to 11-7. Each team traded runs before USI pulled away with a 6-0 run to gain a 22-12 advantage en route to a 25-22 second set triumph.
It was the Eagles again who were the aggressors early in the third set, opening the frame with a 9-3 lead. McKendree would not go quietly, as the Bearcats closed the USI advantage to 13-9. The Eagles maintained a four point lead through an exchange of points before USI increased their lead to six at 23-17 before closing out the Bearcats 25-18.
In the fourth and final set, the Eagles ran out to a 6-1 lead, much like USI did in sets two and three. McKendree would not go quietly, as the Bearcats closed the USI advantage to 7-4. It was the Eagles though who could sense the opportunity to keep their postseason dreams alive. USI manufactured an 8-2 run to open a 15-6 lead. Resilient as always, the Bearcats closed within five at 19-15, but the Eagles finished off McKendree 25-19.
On Senior Day, it was the Eagles' seniors who helped power them to victory as
Erica Oberbroeckling and
Abbey Winter each finished with a match-high 13 kills, while
Erin Goldschmidt added four digs, three assists, and a service ace in the victory.
Junior setter
Quin Shoultz finished just two kills shy of a triple-double with eight kills, 35 assists and 10 digs, while junior
Amy Zwissler and freshman
Mary Kate Byrnes added nine and six kills, respectively.
With its win over McKendree and Truman State University's loss to No. 7 Rockhurst, the Eagles have qualified for the GLVC Tournament for the 16th consecutive year. The Eagles will play McKendree, once again, in the opening round of the GLVC Tournament Friday at 2:30 p.m. in East Peoria, Illinois.
