Looking to break a 12-game losing streak, the USI women’s volleyball team went up against Morehead State University in one of its final home games of the season Tuesday. It would be no easy task for USI, especially with several players out, including starter Jasmine Green, graduate right-side hitter. Jillian Moonan, redshirt freshman middle blocker and right-side hitter, replaced Green for the night.
Early in the first set, MSU’s errors kept USI in the game, allowing USI to tie things up at eight. Seven of USI’s 18 points came from MSU errors. Through the counter-play, the Screaming Eagles could connect on a few plays. However, MSU calmed down, taking a five-point lead over USI.
Then, Bianca Anderson, junior middle hitter, ignited a flame in her team with an attack at the net. In the following play, the duo of Paris Downing, senior middle hitter, and Ashby Willis, sophomore outside hitter, performed on the defensive side with a block. Downing also got in on some offensive action later in set one with back-to-back kills that tied things up at 17.
The game was tied five times in set one, but MSU answered every time. Late in the set, MSU went on a seven-point run before arriving at set point and eventually taking the first set, 25-18.
USI started promisingly in the second set, with an early 3-1 lead. The Screaming Eagles stayed close behind, tightening the gap, with USI up 12-11. MSU cleaned up its game and had an impressive performance the rest of set two.
A duo block from MSU’s M.E. Hargan, junior outside hitter, and Sydney Wyman, redshirt junior middle blocker, set the tone for the rest of the match. After this, MSU went on a 13-0 run, taking them to the finish line. Nine of their 11 total blocks and 10 of their 42 kills were completed in this set. This is compared to USI’s three total blocks for the night and 25 kills.
The Screaming Eagles looked dejected in this set, only getting to a mere 12 points, dropping the set by a score of 25-12.
Looking to complete the sweep, MSU came out of the gate strong. USI made some rotation changes this set, bringing in Lauren O’Neill, senior middle blocker, and Mariah Minor, sophomore middle blocker and right-side hitter. The two replaced Anderson and Downing, who did not see the floor the rest of the night.
Coming off a timeout, Anderson again gave USI the glimmer of hope they needed with a kill, making the score 10-3, USI down. Anderson co-led Southern Indiana in kills for six, along with Willis.
However, their efforts were insufficient, as they could never gain the lead in the final set. MSU won the final set, 25-14.