ST. LOUIS, MO. - University of Southern Indiana Volleyball moved up another four spots to 13th-nationally (
AVCA) after the Eagles swept two GLVC foes, No. 6 Rockhurst and Lindenwood, on February 20 during the USI-hosted GLVC triangular.
The Screaming Eagles have now set program-highs for national ranking for three-straight weeks, earning the first national ranking (18th) for the program in the February 10 AVCA DII poll. The only Eagle loss came at the hands of No. 2 Lewis Flyers (then ranked 14th) in a five-set match to start the season. USI is one of seven GLVC programs to be featured in the top-25 rankings and one of three in the top 15.Â
USI (5-1) hits the road for another weekend GLVC divisional crossover, playing Maryville (0-6) and William Jewell (0-7) in St. Louis at Moloney Arena on February 27. USI will first duel Maryville at high noon, then taking on William Jewell at 3 P.M. Both games will be broadcast on
GLVCSN.Â
AGAINST ROCKHURST AND LINDENWOOD:
Leah Anderson led the Eagles offensively and earned her first GLVC Weekly award behind her monsterous performance. Anderson bombarded the Hawks and Lions with 5.67 kills per set (34 total), three service aces, and a hitting percentage of .446. Fellow sophomore
Katherine Koch also spelled trouble for the opposing defenses as she posted 22 kills (3.67 per set) while freshman
Abby Weber recorded 14 (2.33 per set).Â
Senior setter
Casey Cepicky fully coordinated the Eagle's offensive effort by distributing 76 assists across the two matches (12.67 per set) with 21 digs, four kills, four blocks, and two service aces. Benefitting from Cepicky dishing out assists were juniors
Sidney Hegg (10 kills against Rockhurst) and
Taylor Litteken (eight against Lindenwood), who both posted season-highs in kills in the divisional crossover.Â
See the full recap
here.
NOTES:
In the GLVC, USI has multiple category leaders, including hitting percentage (1st, Litteken .400 |Â 3rd, Hegg .346), kills (2nd, Anderson 4.15 per set), assists (4th, Cepicky 9.65 per set), service aces (2nd, Anderson 0.70 per set), and points (1st, Anderson 5.05).
Casey Cepicky is approaching fifth all-time on the USI assist list with 2,421 assists in her career, just 100 shy of fifth all-time in teh USI record book (Melanie Pund - 2,521).
Leah Anderson earned the first GLVC weekly award of her career following her performance against then-No.6 Rockhurst and Lindenwood.Â
Abby Weber posted impressive numbers against the Hawks and Lions, leading USI in digs in both matches with 18 digs versus Rockhurst and 13 versus Lindenwood.
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 (@USIVolleyball) and Instagram (@USI_wvolleyball) as well for team updates.Â
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