<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=220jZK_0wFridE600" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=220jZK_0wFridE600" width="1200" height="800" ><figcaption>The Screaming Eagles huddle after scoring a point against Western Illinois Friday in the Screaming Eagles Arena. (Photo by Alex Mendoza)</figcaption></figure>Last night’s game was crucial for the women’s volleyball team. USI hoped to rise in the OVC rankings, as they sit in seventh, while their competition in last night’s match — Western Illinois University — is one above. Ultimately, USI fell to WIU in the first of the two-game series in the Screaming Eagles Arena. Before the game, Keira Moore, junior libero/defensive specialist, was recognized for earning her 1,000th career dig, making her the 15th Screaming Eagle to do so.The first match started rough for the Screaming Eagles, with WIU earning seven of eight points right out of the gate. However, Jasmine Green, graduate right side, put the ball away, which led to a six-point run to tie the game with seven a piece. After that momentum change, WIU led the rest of the game until the end, when USI made yet another comeback. USI’s Ashby Willis, sophomore outside hitter, brought the energy with nine kills in this set. Willis led the Screaming Eagles in kills with 14 for the night. One of Willis’ kills led to a tie game at 24. It was a back-and-forth battle that no one would have predicted based on the first eight points. USI ended up having set point three times, while WIU had it four, but ultimately, the Leathernecks won the first set, 32-30.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1jpu2j_0wFridE600" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1jpu2j_0wFridE600" width="1600" height="1066" ><figcaption>Jasmine Green, graduate right side, attempts to spike the ball Friday in the Screaming Eagles Arena. (Photo by Alex Mendoza)</figcaption></figure>The back-and-forth trademark of this match continued in the second set. After being tied with eight, Green helped the Screaming Eagles gain the advantage with two kills in a row, forcing Western Illinois to call a timeout. USI had hope for the second match, as they continued to increase their lead, now with a score of 17-11. WIU found themselves down by several points for the first time in the night. However, they were able to respond to the pressure and went on a five-point run, eventually tying it up at 21. From here, they never looked back and took the second set 25-22.The third set looked very similar to the start of the first in that WIU took the first seven of eight points. It was a rough match for the Screaming Eagles. Bianca Anderson, junior middle hitter, and Ellie Marbet, sophomore outside hitter, contributed two kills in this set, but their efforts were insufficient. USI struggled defensively, with WIU’s Elizabeth Ziegler, junior right side, Brittany Wulf, senior outside hitter, and Keyana Cruse, senior outside hitter, all contributing three hits to the Leathernecks’ victory of 25-14. The Screaming Eagles did not do themselves any favors in the final set with nine crucial errors. WIU taking this set resulted in a clean sweep for the Leathernecks, 3-0.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1l6D9i_0wFridE600" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1l6D9i_0wFridE600" width="1600" height="1066" ><figcaption>Members of the women’s volleyball team do the Chicken Dance on the sideline Friday in the Screaming Eagles Arena. The song was played in the arena while a play was being reviewed. (Photo by Alex Mendoza)</figcaption></figure>USI ultimately dropped the two-game series, failing to capture victory in a single set. These losses aren’t season-ending, but they need to get back on track from this point forward. Keeping a high level of team morale and confidence will be key. The Screaming Eagles will hit the road to Tennessee, where they will face the University of Tennessee at Martin Tuesday. Then, they will head to the University of Southern Illinois Edwardsville for matches Friday and Saturday. These three matches are officially must-wins to build momentum as the team marches into November, closer and closer to the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament. </div></body>

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Analysis: Women’s volleyball drops crucial match against Western Illinois University, 0-3

Last night’s game was crucial for the women’s volleyball team. USI hoped to rise in the OVC rankings, as they sit in seventh, while their competition in last night’s match — Western Illinois University — is one above. Ultimately, USI fell to WIU in the first of the two-game series in the Screaming Eagles Arena.