EVANSVILLE, Ind. - University of Southern Indiana Women's Volleyball kicked off its season on Friday night against a tough Lewis Flyers squad, losing in five sets through a constant back-and-forth bout versus the 14th-ranked Flyers. 

The contest was headlined by Casey Cepicky and Leah Anderson for the Screaming Eagles with both players picking up double-doubles on the night. Cepicky recorded another 32 assists to her impressive career total, pairing 13 digs with her offensive attack. Anderson had a monster game, ripping through the Lewis defense with her 15 kills. She also showed her defensive nature with 15 digs, which created a balanced game for the sophomore. 

USI leaned on offensive distribution to push the 14th ranked Flyers to five sets with five players booming at least six kills each. Anderson led the Eagles with 15 kills and followed by Abby Bednar and Taylor Litteken (8 each) and then by Katherine Koch and Sidney Hegg (6 each). 

Defensively, Southern Indiana finished with four players having 13 or more digs. Anderson, Bednar, and libero Callie Gubera each recorded 15 digs while Cepicky added 13 more. 

As a team, the Screaming Eagles owned the service line, with nine aces on the night and forced nine reception errors as well.

NOTES:
With her 32-assist performance tonight, Casey Cepicky now has 2,295 assists over her USI career. She is now 226 assists out of fifth all-time in the Screaming Eagle Record books. 

Callie Gubera's start against the Flyers was her first career start as a libero and in her USI career. 

Leah Anderson, who finished 10th in the GLVC in points last season, started off the 2020-21 campaign well with 20 points against Lewis, recording a double-double. 

Freshman Abby Bednar began her USI career with gusto, almost grabbing a double-double in her first match. She finished the night with eight kills and 15 digs, also adding three aces and 11 points. 

UP NEXT:
USI Volleyball returns to the court for a match against divisional-rival Illinois Springfield on Saturday, January 30 at 4:30 P.M. The mathc will follow the USI Women's Basketball game, which begins at 1 P.M.

HOW TO WATCH AND FOLLOW:
While fans are not permitted to attend the games, they can watch free of charge on the GLVC Sports Network, which is available both you're your desktop, mobile/tablet devices, as well as four over-the-top (OTT) platforms, including Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV and Apple TV (4th Generation). GLVCSN.com is the official website of the GLVC Sports Network, while the GLVCSN mobile app is available for iOS in the App Store and Android on Google Play. Apple users also can use AirPlay with their Apple TV or some of the newer smart TVs. (GLVCSN FAQs)

Previews, live game updates, and post game information can be found via USI Athletics (@USIAthletics | #GoUSIEagles) social media accounts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.