EVANSVILLE, Ind. - The University of Southern Indiana volleyball team scored its third-straight victory in Great Lakes Valley Conference play Friday night with a five-set victory over the Missouri University of Science and Technology, 25-18, 15-25, 21-25, 25-22 and 15-6.
The Screaming Eagles (14-13, 6-6 GLVC) forced a tie in the coveted eighth spot in the conference standings with the victory and a road loss by the University of Illinois Springfield at Drury University, also on Friday night. The Miners (20-7, 7-5 GLVC) entered the evening in a tie for sixth with Bellarmine University, falling into seventh with Friday's defeat.
Senior middle blocker
Amanda Jung led the Eagles' comeback-effort with seven of her career-high 10 blocks in the fourth frame, forcing the fifth set where USI dominated their way to a 15-6 score and sealed the victory. Jung's total fell one block short of tying USI's record (since 2000) of 11 set by
Abbey Winter '16 against Bellarmine during the 2013 campaign.
Junior setter
Casey Cepicky and freshman outside hitterÂ
Leah Anderson each notched another double-double in the contest. Cepicky assisted on 40 of USI's 46 kills and added 12 digs, while Anderson scooped up 15 digs and dropped 11 kills on the Miners.
Freshman right side hitter
Katherine Koch paced the Eagles with 14 kills, while Anderson and senior middle hitter
Elexis Coleman each posted the USI high-marks in a set with four kills each, in the first and second sets, respectively.
USI stuffed 17 Missouri S&T attacks on the night, eight coming in the all-important fourth set on the back of Jung's seven. Four different Eagles posted at least four blocks in the contest: Jung (10), Anderson (5), sophomore right side hitter
Sidney Hegg (5) and Coleman (4).
The Eagles also kept the ball off the court with 87 digs, led by freshman setter
Kelsie Vanitvelt with 19, followed by senior libero/outside hitter
Mikaila Humphrey with 17 digs. Five Eagles posted at least 12 digs in the contest: Vanitvelt, Humphrey, Anderson, Cepicky and freshman libero
Audrey Crowder.
Up Next
USI Volleyball wraps up the 2019 home slate with Maryville University Saturday at 3 p.m. The battle between the Eagles and Saints will be preceded by the Senior Day ceremony, honoring the careers of
Amanda Jung,
Elexis Coleman,
Mikaila Humphrey, outside hitter
Lindsey Stose and defensive specialist
Lizzy Gardner.
The Eagles conclude the 2019 regular season on the road at Quincy University and Truman State University next Friday and Saturday, respectively.
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