Bednar, Moore set career highs in five-set loss

MACOMB, Ill. – Senior outside/right side hitter Abby Bednar (Chagrin Falls, Ohio) and sophomore libero/defensive specialist Keira Moore (Newburgh, Indiana) each recorded new career highs as University of Southern Indiana Volleyball (10-13, 6-6 OVC) fell to Western Illinois University (7-14, 6-4 OVC), 3-2 (25-20, 25-15, 25-22, 25-16, 15-13), at Western Hall Saturday afternoon. Bednar racked up 24 kills while Moore totaled 31 digs in the loss.
 
Big runs from the Leathernecks handed the Screaming Eagles the opening-set loss, 25-20. WIU came out the gates hot with a 6-2 lead until USI bounced back and scored six of the next seven points to take the 8-7 advantage. The Eagles took advantage of four Leathernecks’ errors during the stint. After junior middle hitter Paris Downing (Avon, Indiana) threw down a kill to make it 11-9, WIU went on a 5-1 spurt to regain the lead. USI was able to knot it back up at 17 apiece before the Leathernecks jumped out to a four-point lead after scoring five of the last six points to secure the victory. Attacking errors were the Achilles heel for the Eagles who racked up a match-high nine errors in the set.
 
A dominating outing from USI tied the match after the Eagles nabbed the 25-15 win in the second game. It was a close matchup early until USI tallied six of the seven points to hold a 16-10 advantage. Downing kicked off the run with a kill as Bednar and junior outside hitter Abby Weber (Fishers, Indiana) ended the stint with kills. Even after WIU…