EVANSVILLE, Ind.- University of Southern Indiana Volleyball returns to the Indiana Invitational in Bloomington at Indiana University for the second year in a row to take the Hoosiers on Friday night at 6 p.m. CT. The Screaming Eagles turn around Saturday to take on Ball State University at 10 a.m. CT and Chicago State University at 6 p.m. CT. All three games will take place at Wilkinson Hall.
Game Coverage & Tickets
All three USI games will be broadcasted on the B10+ network at the links above. Monthly subscriptions are required at $12.99 for access to all weekend broadcasts. Reminder to fans attending the game to adjust their schedules based on eastern time game times, while in Bloomington. Ticket links can also be found at the links above.
Screaming Eagles Headlines
Opening Weekend at Bradley Recap. The Screaming Eagles left the three-game CEFCU Invitational at Bradley University on August 30-31, going 2-1, beating University of St. Thomas 3-1, losing to Depaul University 2-3, and avenging their narrow 2023 loss against Bradley by beating the Braves 3-0.
History made against the Buckeyes. USI's first opponent at the Florida Invitational at the University of Florida was Ohio State University who received national ranking votes prior to the week. The Eagles fell in four sets but recorded their first power conference set victory in program history with a second set victory. Not only did the Eagles take a set, but were inches away from forcing a fifth set, losing the fourth set 24-26 giving the Buckeyes everything they had. Senior
Carly Sobieralski (Indianapolis, Indiana) passed out 33 assists and 12 digs.
Swept by the Gators and Bulls. USI hung tough in an intense environment of 4,308 fans showing no nerves trading points with the Gators in set one tied at 20-20. However, USI struggled to finish sets on Saturday falling 21-25, 16-25, 19-25. Sobieralski picked up her fifth-straight double-double, while sophomore
Ashby Willis (Mount Carmel, Illinois) led the way with 11 kills. University of South Florida stunned the Gators and Buckeyes before playing the Eagles on Sunday. The Bulls continued their dominance beating the Eagles 18-25, 21-25, 14-25.
Florida Invitational All-Tournament Team. Willis and Sobieralski shinned on the big stage earning spots on the Florida Invitational All-Tournament team. Willis led the team offensively smashing 31 kills (3.10 KPS) with a .207 hitting percentage against stiff competition. She also shinned defensively with 22 digs on four blocks. Sobieralski collected two double-doubles on 80 assists (8.00 APS) on five blocks and a team-leading 28 digs.
Sophomore Production. Sophomore outside hitter
Leah Coleman (Hoover, Alabama) and Willis have been huge for USI tied for second best in kills at 56 each. Willis transferred from Purdue University Fort Wayne where she was a Horizon League All-Freshman. Willis is also second in digs at 78. Coleman totaled 17 kills as a freshman blocked by seniors. However, 2024 has seen a breakout season so far tallying 62.5 points already.
The Jas Effect. Aucoin hit the lottery reeling in grad transfer right side
Jasmine Green (Rockwall, Texas) from Bradley University who leads the Eagles on and off the floor. Green leads the Eagles offensively with 66 kills, highlighted by her career best 19 kills against Depaul University. Green has also quickly become a pivotal team leader encouraging her teammates vocally and by example.
Stiff Defense. Middle hitters junior
Bianca Anderson (Chicago Heights, Illinois) and senior
Paris Downing (Avon, Indiana) specialize in denying opponents at the net with 37 total blocks combined. Junior libero
Keira Moore (Newburgh, Indiana) has tallied a team-leading 92 digs (4.18 DPS).
Top Notch Service. Freshman
Kerigan Fehr (Fairbury, Illinois) led USI with four service aces on the weekend with two in big spots against Ohio State University.
About Indiana. The Hoosiers enter play at 3-2 with wins against Kennesaw State, Wichita State, and UC Davis in the opening weekend. The two losses last week in Austin, Texas cam against the top team in the country University of Texas and the University of Miami who received national votes. IU won 11 conference games in 2023, the most since 1999. The Hoosiers returns its starting setter (Camryn Haworth), starting libero (Ramsey Gary), and the top four pin options from a season ago. Haworth was named pre-season All-Big Ten for the second straight season. USI fell to IU last season in three sets.
About Ball State. The Cardinals started the 2024 season going 3-3 with dominant wins against Seton Hall University, Bryant University, and James Madison University. The Cardinals lone losses came against Florida Atlantic University, #9 University of Kentucky, and #7 Penn State University. The Preseason All-MAC Team nominees for the Cardinals were senior setter Megan Wielonski and redshirt sophomore outside Aniya Kennedy. As a team, Ball State was picked to finish third in the MAC. Kennedy currently leads the Cardinals offensively with 70 kills. Wielonski already has totaled 205 assists. This marks the first match between the two squads.
About Chicago State. The Cougars start the season 2-3 after wins against familiar opponent University of Evansville and Miami (Ohio) University in Evansville last weekend. USI takes on UE twice next week. Chicago State's losses include Bowling Green State University, University of Cincinnati, and Samford University. Patrycja Lagida has tallied 70 kills to lead the Cougars, while Wiktoria Zagumny leads the way in assists with 162.
Follow along @USIAthletics for in-game updates all weekend on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
