EVANSVILLE, Ind.- University of Southern Indiana Volleyball had two players named to the Ohio Valley Conference Players of the Week. Senior Ashby Willis earned Offensive Player of the Week, and sophomore Aysa Thomas is Setter of the Week.
 
The pair helped lead the Screaming Eagles to a split series (1-1) on the road in the opening weekend of conference play at defending league champions, Eastern Illinois.  After dropping the first match Friday evening in four sets, USI bounced back Saturday, winning a five-set thriller.
 
Outside hitter Willis tallied 39 kills for 4.33/set in the series, hitting a .276 efficiency. She also led the team with 28 digs (3.11/set) and tallied seven blocks across the two matches. With her kill and dig numbers, Willis marked a double-double in both matches at EIU.
 
In game one against the Panthers, Willis tallied 15 kills and 14 digs. She maintained her highest hitting percentage in five games, at .273, making just three errors. In the second match, the senior set a season-high with 24 kills, hitting a .279 efficiency. She also led the team defensively, picking up 14 digs and matched her season-high with four blocks.
 
Willis continues to lead the OVC in total kills for the season (221), kills per set (3.95), and points scored (254). She also ranks third in total digs (177) and second in total service aces (21).
 
Setter Thomas tallied 97 assists for 10.78 per set in the opening weekend of conference play. The sophomore also recorded 24 digs (2.67/set), 12 kills, seven blocks, and three aces.
 
In the first match, Thomas dished out 43 assists for 10.75 per set, and matched her career-high, sneaking in seven kills. In the weekend's win, Thomas dished out a season-high 54 assists (10.8/set) and marked a double-double with 15 digs to lead the team. She recorded another five kills and five blocks in the match. For the series, Thomas led her offense to a team hitting percentage of .252.

Thomas leads the conference in total assists, 531, and ranks second with 9.48 per set. Her 49 kills so far this season rank the most for a setter in the league.
 
This week's awards mark the third weekly honor for each of the Screaming Eagles. USI holds an overall record of 6-8 so far this season, and 1-1 in OVC play as they sit in fourth place in league standings.
 
The Screaming Eagles move into their bye week and prepare for their next match where they host Morehead State University next weekend, October 9 &10, inside Liberty Arena.
 
For game updates on the next OVC series, fans can follow USI Athletics and usivolleyball on Instagram, X, and Facebook, and online at usiscreamingeagles.com.