BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Volleyball (2-5) were overpowered on Friday night against Indiana University (5-2) in three straight sets (19-25, 26-28, 19-25) in their opener of the Indiana Invitational at Wilkinson Hall.
 
USI struggled to defend Indiana's attack allowing the Hoosiers to post a .438 hitting percentage in route to a set one defeat, 19-25. The Eagles built an early 11-9 lead after kills from sophomore Leah Coleman (Hoover, Alabama), sophomore Ashby Willis (Mount Carmel, Illinois), junior Bianca Anderson (Chicago Heights, Illinois), and senior Lauren O'Neill (Covington, Indiana). The Hoosiers turned it up taking a 22-19 late lead. Seniors Jasmine Green (Rockwall, Texas) and Carly Sobieralski (Indianapolis, Indiana) helped the Eagles stay close. Green smashed two late kills and Sobieralski racked up nine assists in set one. However, the Hoosiers finished the set strong building an early set lead.
 
Set two was absolutely rocking in Wilkinson Hall as both teams traded strenuous rallies, eventually resulting in a slim loss, 26-28. Another balanced attack with kills from senior Paris Downing (Avon, Indiana), Anderson, Coleman, and Green led to an early tie at nine. Senior leader Sobieralski produced another consistent performance tonight as she put the Eagles ahead 18-16 with a service ace. USI came within one point of winning the set, before the Hoosiers rallied for two kills to regain the lead, 26-25. Senior Abby Weber (Fishers, Indiana) stepped up to tie the game with a powerful kill. IU earned the next two points to earn the hard-fought set two victory.
 
The Hoosiers compiled two 6-0 runs in set three to help finish the Eagles, 19-25. The Eagles made nine errors in set three to put themselves in a tough position. IU mounted a 13-3 run in the middle of the set to build a comfortable lead and never looked back.
 
Anderson produced her most efficient offensive game of the season at a .438 hitting percentage with a team-leading nine kills. Sobieralski continued to deliver consistency with 24 assists. She currently sits at 1,989 career assists with the chance to eclipse 2,000 tomorrow. Defensively, Willis grabbed eight digs while Anderson swatted a team-leading two blocks. Weber finished with a team-leading two service aces.

As a team, USI finished with 33 kills, 28 assists, 40 digs, four aces, three blocks, and a .146 attacking percentage. The Hoosiers earned 47 kills, 43 assists, 39 digs, four aces, six blocks, and a .353 hitting percentage.
 
What's Next
The Eagles stay in Bloomington to battle Ball State University and Chicago State University tomorrow at 10 a.m./6 p.m. CT.