COLUMBUS, Ohio- University of Southern Indiana snapped a four-game losing streak with a four-set win over Youngstown State University to open the Sports Imports Classic at Ohio State University inside the Covelli Center.
The Screaming Eagles move to 3-5 for the season so far and mark their first win on the road in a neutral setting.
SET 1: USI 25, YSU 20
The Screaming Eagles take the first set in the Covelli Center against the Penguins. Senior
Leah Coleman led the team with five kills, hitting no errors on 13 attempts. Outside hitter
Ashby Willis led the USI defense with nine digs, and the senior also tallied four kills.
SET 2: USI 25, YSU 23
Sophomore
Carley Wright and Willis combined for 11 kills with no errors to ramp up the USI offensive production in the second frame. Junior libero
Audrey Small covered the back row for the Screaming Eagles, picking up 12 digs. Sophomore setter
Aysa Thomas ran a balanced offense with 16 assists, setting up kill opportunities for six different teammates.
SET 3: YSU 25, USI 21
The Penguins gained a lead early in the third set, maintaining it for the whole set after the 3-3 tie point. Wright led the USI offense, tallying an impressive eight kills with no errors for a hitting percentage of .889.
SET 4: USI 25, YSU 18
The Screaming Eagles closed out the match with a dominant final set where they never gave up the lead and pushed as many as seven points ahead several times throughout. With four team blocks, including three assists from both Wright and sophomore
Mackenzie Nettles, USI was able to hold the YSU offensive production to a match low .045.
USI will be back in action tomorrow afternoon, September 12, to take on the host school, Ohio State University, at 3 p.m. CT. This marks the second Big Ten Conference opponent the Screaming Eagles will take on after falling to Indiana University on Monday in four sets.
For updates on the Screaming Eagles throughout the weekend, follow USI Athletics and usivolleyball on Instagram, X, and Facebook, and online at usiscreamingeagles.com.
