EVANSVILLE, IN—University of Southern Indiana Volleyball senior libero Shannon Farrell (Munster, Indiana) surpassed Kayla Heldman (2010-13) for first-place all-time at USI with her 17th dig of the night, but it was in a losing effort as the Screaming Eagles' rally from a two-set deficit came up short in a five-set Great Lakes Valley Conference loss to the University of Indianapolis Tuesday night at the Physical Activities Center.
 
Farrell completed the night with a match-high 31 digs in her final home match of her career. She heads into the final weekend of the season with 1,863 career digs, 15 more than Heldman's previous career mark of 1,848.
 
Senior middle hitter Te'Ayla Whitfield (Fort Wayne, Indiana) also had a stellar night in her final home match of her career. Whitfield finished with a match and career-high 21 kills as well as a .415 attacking percentage and three blocks.
 
USI (12-17, 5-11 GLVC), which was mathematically eliminated from post-season play with the loss, also got 15 kills and a .333 attacking percentage from sophomore middle hitter Elexis Coleman (Joliet, Illinois) as well as 53 assists and nine digs from freshman setter Casey Cepicky (St. Louis, Missouri). Sophomore defensive specialist Lizzy Gardner (Lafayette, Indiana) added 10 digs in the loss.
 
The Eagles conclude the 2017 season this weekend with trips to Romeoville, Illinois, to take on No. 3 Lewis University Friday at 7 p.m.; and Somers, Wisconsin, to take on the University of Wisconsin-Parkside Saturday at 3 p.m.
 
Set 1 (UIndy 25-14)
Indianapolis (13-17, 8-9 GLVC) hit .405 and benefitted from an 11-4 run to earn the win in the opener. Whitfield had three kills and a .500 attacking percentage to lead the Eagles in the first set.
 
Set 2 (UIndy 25-22)
USI trimmed a five-point deficit to one late in the frame, but Indianapolis won two straight points to hold off the Eagles' comeback bid. Coleman had four kills and a .500 hitting clip to lead USI in the second set.
 
Set 3 (USI 25-22)
The Eagles rallied from a 16-8 deficit to earn the three-point win and keep their chances in the match alive. Whitfield had seven kills and a .636 attacking percentage to lead the Eagles, while Farrell collected her record-breaking 1,849th dig late in the stanza.
 
Set 4 (USI 25-21)
After seeing a five-point lead evaporate, USI won the final four points of the fourth set to break a 21-21 tie and even the match at two sets each. Whitfield had four kills and Farrell had 10 digs to lead the Eagles.
 
Set 5 (UIndy 15-13)
A pair of 2-0 runs were the difference in set 5 as Indianapolis edged the Eagles 15-13 in the deciding frame. The Greyhounds were buoyed by a .421 attacking percentage in the fifth set, while Whitfield and Coleman each had four kills to lead the Eagles.