EAST PEORIA, Ill. - University of Southern Indiana Volleyball earned its first GLVC tournament victory since 2010 via a common theme of its season, a sweep, beating sixth-seeded Lindenwood in three closely contested sets. 

The Screaming Eagles and Lions were neck-and-neck throughout each set and recorded 16 ties and four lead changes total in the three-set match. The Eagles utilized two major categories to gain the advantage throughout the contest, aces and blocks. USI posted seven service aces while Lindenwood recorded zero and, at the net, USI recorded 18 blocks versus the Lions 12. The Eagles' across-the-board contributions from the regular season carried into the GLVC championship with seven players blasting at least one kill, six adding an ace, six players recording two-plus digs, and six thwarting at least one opposing attack. The first set of the match and the entire tournament proved to be the most difficult for the Eagles, taking a late push with USI winning the last five points and nine of the final 10 points to nab the set. Set two proved to be an equally difficult fight but USI prevailed and did not trail after it tied the match a nine points each. The third and eventual final set of the match featured the Screaming Eagles taking hold early in the set and never trailing enroute to victory.

On offense, USI's All-Conference sophomores Leah Anderson and Katherine Koch led the charge with Anderson bombarding the Lions with 13 kills on a .258 hitting percentage with an ace and Koch recording 10 more kills on an attack percentage of .348, adding an ace and three assists. The contest marks the sophomores' fifth-straight match with double-digit kills and points each. Just behind the sophomore duo was freshman Abby Weber with eight kills, adding her sixth match with 10-plus points in seven contests. The floor general Casey Cepicky went right into her role to set the tone, dishing out 31 assists to fuel the offense of the Eagles. Overall, USI assisted on 36 of 38 kills in the three-set victory. 

The USI defense proved to be a true fortification once again, especially at the net, with Sidney Hegg and Taylor Litteken both recording five blocks. Anderson chipped in another three blocks while Koch, Weber, and Cepicky each thwarted two opposing attacks. Callie Gubera and Katherine Koch both scooped-up nine attacks while Anderson and Cepicky were narrowly behind with eight and seven digs a piece.

With the victory, the 21st-ranked Eagles improved to 2-0 against the Lindenwood Lions on the season and 15-4 overall. USI, after dropping two-straight matches on March 20, has now won five-straight contests.

NOTES:
USI lengthens its winning streak to five games with the first round win over Lindenwood. The Eagles' streak dates back to their final home match of the season against McKendree on March 26, which USI won 3-1 over the Bearcats. 

The Eagles have won eight matches this season via a sweep. USI, following its first match of the year against then-No. 14 Lewis (a loss in five sets), won five-straight matches without losing a set. The Eagles also beat Southwest Baptist, UIndy, and now Lindenwood in straight-sets. 

The sophomore duo of Leah Anderson and Katherine Koch recorded their fifth-straight match with 10-plus kills and at least 10.0 points each.

Senior setter Casey Cepicky dished out 30-plus assists for the 15th time on the season. She now owns 2,914 assists in her USI career which ranks fourth all-time in USI history. 

HOW TO WATCH AND FOLLOW | April 17 | vs. Winner of #2 UMSL/#7Rockhurst | 2 P.M. | East Peoria, Ill. 
With limited fan attendance at the GLVC Tournament, fans 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. 

FAN ATTENDANCE at the GLVC VB Championship Tournament:
There will be fans allowed at the GLVC Volleyball Championship Tournament. Please visit the GLVC website and volleyball championship page for complete information.
Tickets will be limited to 200 per match; first come, first served (no online or pre-sale tickets are available):
$10 Adults
$5 Students (with College ID)
$5 Seniors (65+)
$5 Child (6+)
Free Children 5 and under
 
- Ticket sales will begin 30 minutes prior to match time at the main entrance of the EastSide Centre
- All spectators will be COVID screened prior to proceeding down to main court area
- Masking and social distancing will be required at all times inside the EastSide Centre and while waiting to purchase tickets
- Spectators must sit in designated area (designated area specifics are yet to be determined by tournament administrators- please check when you enter for any such designations)
- Bleachers will be sanitized between matches, fans must exit facility immediately following the match.
- Enter via the single main entrance and exit via one of the other two exits separate from where you entered (they will be marked); please abide by directional signs inside the facility
- Spectators must utilize the upstairs restrooms only