EVANSVILLE, Ind. - University of Southern Indiana Women's Volleyball moved up one spot in the national rankings to No. 17 after a third-straight victory, defeating McKendree on Saturday, February 13. 

USI earned its first-ever national ranking in the February 10th ACVA DII Top-25 poll, coming in at No. 18; sweeping McKendree this past Saturday to earn the Eagles' highest national ranking ever at 17th. The Screaming Eagles are one of eight GLVC programs featured in the AVCA poll.

The sweep over GLVC-foe McKendree marked three-straight victories for the Eagles, all won in the same sweeping fashion. USI's sole loss on the year came at the hands of No. 2 Lewis (4-0) in a five-set bout on January 29.

UP NEXT:
The Screaming Eagles are set to host the first of two GLVC triangulars at Screaming Eagles Arena on Saturday, February 20, beginning at 10 A.M. USI plays host to No. 6 Rockhurst (3-1, GLVC East) and Lindenwood (1-2, GLVC Central). The GLVC triangular kicks off with USI playing Rockhurst at 10 A.M., followed by Rockhurst playing Lindenwood at 2 P.M. and finished off with USI versus Lindenwood at 6 P.M.

NOTES:
Senior setter Casey Cepicky has racked up 121 assists through the first four matches (14 sets) of the season, ranking fifth in the GLVC for assists per set (8.64). She is sixth all-time for career assists (2,384) in the USI record book, only 137 behind fifth (held by Melanie Pund, 2,521).

Sophomore outside hitter Leah Anderson has played a vital role for the Screaming Eagle offense, averaging 4.46 points per set (fifth in GLVC) and 62.5 total points on the season. Anderson also ranks highly in kills (fourth in conference) with a 3.50 per-set average (14 sets) and 49 on the season. 

Anderson and Cepicky rank second and third in the conference in service aces and service aces per set. Anderson has 11 aces through 14 sets (0.79 per set) and Cepicky owns eight aces (0.57 per set). 

Taylor Litteken leads the GLVC in hitting percentage at .433 over 14 sets. Litteken has recorded 31 kills (2.21 per set) and 34.0 points (2.43 per set) on the season.

The USI defensive effort has been a split-load through the first four matches with four players averaging 2.00-plus digs per set, led by Anderson at 3.21 per set. Junior right side hitter/middle blocker Sidney Hegg leads the Eagles' block effort with 11.0 over the first four matches. 

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.

USI Volleyball can be followed directly on Twitter and Instagram as well for team updates.