EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana (6-9, 2-2 OVC) played in front of a record-breaking crowd Tuesday night at Screaming Eagles Arena despite falling to Eastern Illinois University (14-1, 4-0 OVC) in four sets. The Screaming Eagles brought in 375 fans, the most for a regular season volleyball match since the opening of Screaming Eagles Arena in 2019.
A late push by the Panthers handed the Eagles a 25-19 opening-set loss. USI held an early 9-6 lead off five kills with three coming from senior outside/right side hitter Abby Bednar (Chagrin Falls, Ohio). Despite leading 16-13, USI witnessed a 7-1 surge from EIU that reversed the Eagles’ advantage. Junior outside hitter Abby Weber (Fishers, Indiana) stopped the bleeding with a kill until the Panthers’ offense lit up with four straight points and ultimately claimed the set victory. USI had a match-high .346 attacking percentage with 11 kills and just two errors but EIU’s 16 kills were too much to handle.
The Eagles flourished in the second frame by dominating the Panthers, 25-16. USI kicked off the set with an 8-2 lead that began with three kills from Bednar and was capitalized by a kill from senior outside hitter Leah Anderson (Bloomington, Illinois). The Eagles continued to surge by taking a 16-7 lead and then extending it to 24-13 after an all-around effort. The Panthers did make a late push with a 3-0 stint until junior setter Carly Sobieralski (Indianapolis, Indiana) placed a perfect skip-set kill in…
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