September 15, 2004
USI volleyball looking to swing momentum
The University of Southern Indiana volleyball team is looking to shift momentum into its favor Friday as it enters GLVC action with a 7 p.m. match against Lewis University at the Physical Activities Center. The Screaming Eagles have lost their last three matches, all of which were to regional opponents, after winning six of their first seven matches.
USI (6-4) has won seven consecutive conference-openers, but has lost three of the last four matches it has had with Lewis, including its last three regular season contests.
Lewis enters Friday’s conference-opener with a 7-3 mark after losing its last match to No. 9 Northern Michigan University.
During their current losing streak, the Eagles have been led by senior right-side hitter Natalie Atzinger (Louisville, Kentucky) and sophomore outside hitter Chelse Doubler (Griffin, Indiana). Atzinger averaged 3.4 kills per game and hit .310, while Doubler averaged 3.0 kills and hit .364.
For the season, junior middle blocker Laura Ellerbusch (Newburgh, Indiana) and senior middle blocker Leeanne Gross (Decatur, Indiana) lead the Eagle attack. Ellerbusch is averaging 3.4 kills, while Gross is averaging 3.3 kills per game.
Freshman setter Stephanie Wilson (Terre Haute, Indiana) leads the GLVC with 13.0 assists per game, while freshman libero Eva Kieffer (Mt. Carmel, Illinois) is averaging a team-leading 3.9 digs per game.
The Eagles will take on the University of Wisconsin-Parkside Saturday at 2 p.m. at the PAC. UWP, which plays Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Friday night, enters conference play with a 4-7 mark.
USI has won the last five meetings with the Rangers and is 10-4 against them since 1989.
Dan McDonnell,
USI Sports Information
