EVANSVILLE, Ind.- University of Southern Indiana Volleyball is set to travel to Southeast Missouri State University for an Ohio Valley Conference battle with the Redhawks in a two-game series on Thursday at 6 p.m. and Friday at 4 p.m.

Both matches will be streamed on ESPN+ for those who have a subscription.

The Screaming Eagles look to continue their win streak after sweeping the series with Eastern Illinois University in Liberty Arena to move to 2-2 in OVC play last weekend.

The EIU series marked the first time a USI team has swept a series with an OVC opponent since the 2023 season, and the first time since joining the conference that the Eagles have not dropped a set in an OVC series.

For her consistent performance in her first OVC wins, freshman Aysa Thomas was named OVC Setter and Freshman of the Week. It marks her first Freshman of the Week honor and third Setter of the Week award.

Thomas tallied 70 assists, 20 digs, five kills, and three blocks in the two matches. She led the team to a .292 hitting percentage for the weekend, marking an 11.67 assists per set average. In game one with the Panthers, Thomas dished out 39 assists, leading the team to a .342 hitting percentage, the second highest of the season. For a new career-high, Thomas snuck five kills in during the second game.

Junior Leah Coleman tallied 23 kills in the series to lead the team, followed by fellow junior Ashby Willis with 22. Willis also had 27 digs, earning a double-double in each game.

In the back court, sophomore libero Audrey Small picked up 32 digs for 5.33 digs per set on the series. She leads the team in digs per set for the season at 4.15, helping to bring the team average to 17.84, a number that brings the Eagles to third in the nation in digs per set.

Scouting the opponent:
The Redhawks, who were picked to finish first in the OVC's preseason standings, are also coming off a two-game win streak after sweeping their series at Tennessee Tech last week. SEMO won both games in four sets, moving to 3-1 in OVC play and 10-6 for the season. The Redhawks sit in the third spot in the OVC standings, while USI is sitting in the middle of the pack after their wins last weekend.

In both games against Tennessee Tech, SEMO's Lucy Arndt led the team in kills, with 10 in the first match and 16 in the second. Junior libero Nina Schuberth, and reigning OVC Defensive Player of the Year in 2024, led the Redhawks in digs with 31 over the series. Head Coach Julie Yankus has led SEMO to two OVC Championship wins in her time at the helm, the last in 2021. SEMO leads the series history over USI 6-1, with the Eagles being the last to win in a four-set win in Liberty Arena in the 2024 season.

To get updates on the Screaming Eagles on the road, fans can follow USI Athletics on Facebook, Instagram, and X for game coverage and online at usiscreamingeagles.com.