PENSACOLA, Fla.—University of Southern Indiana Volleyball could not bounce back from a pair of close opening-set losses Saturday as it lost in three sets to No. 2 Southwest Minnesota State University and the University of South Carolina-Aiken to close out the UWF Hampton Inn-Vitational.
 
The Screaming Eagles (0-4) lost to Southwest Minnesota State 25-23, 25-16, 25-16 in their first match of the day. They fell to USC-Aiken 26-24, 25-13, 25-10 to conclude the weekend.
 
USI returns to action Friday when it hosts the Dunn Hospitality Invitational at the Physical Activities Center. USI plays Purdue University-Northwest and Cedarville University Friday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively, before taking on Northwood University and the University of North Alabama next Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., respectively.
 
#2 Southwest Minnesota State def. Southern Indiana 25-23, 25-16, 25-16
USI found itself with a two-point lead late in the opening set against the No. 2 team in the nation, but a 6-2 Southwest Minnesota State run prevented the Eagles from winning the first game and taking a one-set lead in the match.
 
The Mustangs (3-0) used runs of 6-1 and 9-1 in the second set to establish a double-digit lead; then used an 11-0 run in the third set to pull away from the Eagles and complete the three-game sweep.
 
Sophomore outside hitter Mikaila Humphrey (Floyd Knobs, Indiana) had nine kills to lead the Eagles' attack, while senior libero Shannon Farrell (Munster, Indiana) had 18 digs to pace USI's back row.
 
USC-Aiken def. Southern Indiana 26-24, 25-13, 25-10
The Eagles saw a four-point lead midway through the opening frame disappear as the Pacers rallied for a two-point win and one-game lead in the match.
 
USC-Aiken (1-2) used an 11-2 run to surge past the Eagles in the second frame; then racked up a .452 attacking percentage for a 15-point win in the third stanza.
 
Humphrey had 12 kills and eight digs to lead the Eagles, while Farrell finished with nine digs.