Evansville, Ind. - The Maryville volleyball team was tripped up in its Great Lakes Valley Conference opener at Southern Indiana 25-13, 25-16, 25-22. Setter Abbie Schnell notched a double-double with 14 assists and 12 digs to lead the Saints efforts Thursday night.
 
What Happened
The Saints fell behind early as the Screaming Eagles opened the match with five straight points. Maryville tallied six of eight points, capped by consecutive kills by Rachel Hurt and Karolina Rodowski but that was as close as the Saints would get.
 
In set two, Mikaela Kues keyed the early attack as she had two kills and a service ace that pushed the Saints ahead 7-6. USI answered with five straight points to take the lead. Grace Knadler and Makenna Brauman combined on a block but the home side tacked on a 7-0 burst. The Saints got as close as 22-16 but USI scored the final three points.
 
Tied at 5-5 in the third, Avery Bell had a kills and an error by USI led to a 7-5 Saints lead. Consecutive kills by Hurt and Rodowski boosted the edge to 9-6. Makenna Brauman's kill rebuilt a 12-11 lead for the Saints. The set stayed close and an ace by Alyssa Koska tied the set 18-18. She had a kill, and Brauman followed as the Saints cut the USI lead to just 22-21. Another kill by Bell pulled Maryville to 23-22 but USI scored two straight to end the match.
 
Statistical Leaders
Kills: Avery Bell and Makenna Brauman - 5
Hitting Percentage: Avery Bell - .571
Assists: Abbie Schnell - 14
Service Aces: four players - 1
Digs: Abbie Schnell - 12
Blocks: Grace Knadler and Makenna Brauman - 1
 
Records
Maryville: 4-4, 0-1 GLVC
Southern Indiana: 7-2, 1-0 GLVC
 
What's Next?
After Saturday's contest versus Lindenwood was canceled, the Saints will host their first home match of the season Friday, Sept. 24, as Southwest Baptist visits Moloney Arena for a 7 p.m. start. All fans will be required to wear a face mask inside the Simon Athletic Center.