As a part of the 2025 USI Invitational, the USI women’s volleyball team hosted the University of Saint Louis of the Atlantic 10 conference on Friday at Liberty Arena. This invitational tournament builds momentum for the Screaming Eagles in the upcoming season. Entering the game, USI played a match earlier that day against Valparaiso University of the Missouri Valley Conference, which ended in a 3-0 victory for Valparaiso. Despite the scoreline, USI was in the match for all three sets, losing by no more than six points. The result was not the desired one, but the team put in a strong effort, which is a positive sign. 

The first set opened strongly for USI, as the Screaming Eagles began with a 5-1 run, led by Kerigan Fehr, sophomore libero/defensive specialist, who scored a quick three points early for USI. However, Saint Louis was undaunted by the strong start, scoring three out of the next five, cutting the deficit to three. 

The Screaming Eagles adjusted early, subbing in Keira Moore, senior libero/defensive specialist, who immediately produced strong results, growing the lead to five by helping guide USI to 14 points.

In spite of Moore’s effort, SLU went on a run of their own, scoring six of the next seven points, cutting the deficit to 15-14. Fortunately for USI, Bianca Anderson, senior middle blocker, cut the Billikens’ run with a kill, which allowed USI to grow the lead to 18-15. This break lasted shortly. Saint Louis scored the next four points, eventually capturing the lead before Ashby Willis, junior outside hitter, slowed the Billikens down, scoring a kill and tying it up at 19. The next five points were split relatively evenly, but Saint Louis pulled away, taking set one by a score of 25-22. 

Set two started similarly to the first, as USI scored seven of the first 12 points, two of which came from Willis. This strong start once again paid dividends, as USI held a lead halfway through the set, after a kill by Leah Coleman, junior outside hitter, at 11-8. 

SLU would not go down easily, scoring the next five points, taking a 13-11 lead, which was halted after another Coleman kill. Unfortunately for the Eagles, the Billikens went on another five point run, growing the lead to six points at 18-12. 

With the set on the line, USI came up clutch, scoring the next seven points, led by key serves from Audrey Small, sophomore libero/defensive specialist.

With the set on the line, USI came up clutch, scoring the next seven points, led by key serves from Audrey Small, sophomore libero/defensive specialist. Despite USI’s strong last gasp comeback, Saint Louis put the pedal to the metal, scoring the last seven points, to take the second set by a score of 25-19.

In the third set, the Billikens grabbed a hold of all the momentum, taking an 8-3 advantage, with the Screaming Eagles looking shell-shocked at the end of set two. USI, needing a shock of energy, received a jolt from back-to-back kills by Willis and Anderson, followed by an ace by Willis, cutting the deficit to two points. 

With USI looking prime for a potential comeback, Saint Louis dug deep and took nine of the next 13 points. Grasping onto momentum, the lead grew to seven points. The game was very much in the balance, as the Billikens seemed to be back in the driver’s seat. Like a heavyweight boxer, knowing that it was the last chance to stay alive, the Screaming  Eagles jumped to the occasion. USI stormed back with three straight points, led by a kill from Small. After a Billikens kill, USI jumped back into the game, with kills from Anderson and Willis, cutting the deficit to one point. The Scramming Eagles eventually tied the set up at 21 and fought back and forth with the Billikens, racing to 25. However, it was ultimately a game of inches and USI fell after two consecutive scores from Saint Louis, ending the match. 

Despite what the final score says, the Screaming Eagles fought hard in all three sets and if a couple of things had gone their way, the outcome could’ve been completely different. Saint Louis proved to be a formidable opponent. When the chips were down, the Screaming Eagles remained confident in their convictions and fought to the end. I look forward to seeing where this team goes in the future and as the season progresses into OVC play.