EVANSVILLE, Ind.- University of Southern Indiana Volleyball heads back on the road to take on Ohio Valley Conference leader Lindenwood University on Friday, October 16, and Saturday, October 17, in St. Charles, Missouri.
 
Friday's match will take place at 6 p.m. and will be streamed live on ESPN+ for those with a subscription. Saturday's match is at 2 p.m. and will not have live streaming available.
 
The Screaming Eagles are coming off a series split against Morehead State University. USI dropped a five-set thriller to MSU to open last weekend's play, then bounced back to sweep the Eagles to close out the series. The Screaming Eagles now sit at a 2-2 record in OVC games, 7-9 overall, and sit in the middle of the league standings.
 
As a result of her performance against Morehead State, sophomore Aysa Thomas earned her fourth Setter of the Week honor from the conference. Thomas dished out 80 assists, for 10 per set, and 31 digs across the two matches.
 
The USI offense continues to be run by senior Ashby Willis and sophomore Carley Wright, who together tallied 60 percent of the team's kills against Morehead State. Willis tallied 31 kills across the two games, while Wright added 30 as she hit a .200 efficiency.
 
Libero Audrey Small, who picked up 37 digs for 4.63 per set, helped lead the USI defense to a season-high 103 team digs in the first game, which ranks fifth in the country for team digs in a match. The team finished with 166 digs in the series for 20.75 per set, and continues to lead the OVC, with 1.24 digs per set separating them from the second-place team.
 
Scouting the Opponent:
Lindenwood holds an overall record of 15-3 and a 5-1 OVC record. The Lions sit at the top of the conference standings. LU is coming off a series at Southeast Missouri, where the Redhawks handed the Lions their first set and match loss of OVC play. In series history between Lindenwood and USI, the Screaming Eagles hold a 13-1 all-time record, including a 2025 series sweep in four sets.
 
The Lions have a dynamic duo running the offense from the outside position with Susanna Beretti and current Freshman of the Week Lauren Ortwerth leading the team's points. Beretti is sixth in the league in kills (210) and kills per set (3.28), and Ortwerth follows closely behind with 192 kills for the season (3/set). Lindenwood's junior setter Kaci Johnson leads the OVC in assists.
 
For game updates on the Screaming Eagles on the road as they take on the Lions, fans can follow USI Athletics and usivolleyball on Instagram, X, and Facebook, and online at usiscreamingeagles.com.