UE President Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz will join Evansville Police Department Chief Philip Smith, Executive Director of Albion Fellows Bacon Center Gina Gist, and Matthew 25 Outreach & Development Coordinator Rachel Trout to announce a significant community collaboration, involving multiple partners including a funding partnership.

A press conference is scheduled for 10 a.m. today, Wednesday, November 6, in the Vectren Boardroom located on the second floor of the Schroeder Family School of Business Administration. Room 270.

Happy Monday, Aces! #SupportYourSport, UE Athletics annual week of giving, begins today and runs through Friday! Make a gift to support your favortie team(s), student-athletes, or coaches. There's friendly competition as well, with the prorgam that raises the most money winning a special prize from Prez P that includes dinner and Nike swag.

Give online at uealumnionline.com/supportyoursport

The Student Government Association (SGA) will unveil the Legacy Courtyard project during a dedication ceremony Thursday, November 14 at 4:15 p.m.

Located on the 300 block of South Frederick Street, the dedicated student recreation area includes a patio, hammock village, two sand volleyball courts, and an open green space slated for future phases of development.

The multi-year project began in Fall 2022 and has been spearheaded, designed, and fully funded by the SGA with demolition of five university-owned homes commencing in June 2024. In collaboration with various other student organizations, SGA ensured that all plants and trees in the green space are native to Indiana.

"SGA saw the need for more outdoor study and recreation areas on campus, and we were committed to meeting that need," said Benton Simpson, President of SGA. "The Legacy Courtyard reflects the vision and dedication of our students. Designed by students, for students, it stands as a lasting symbol of our contributions to campus."

WebAdvisor.evansville.edu is in the process of being phased out. Beginning December 1 of this year, the WebAdvisor URL will redirect to SelfService.evansville.edu.

University of Evansville Artists of Color presents its second annual play reading with Stephen Adly Guirgis’s OUR LADY OF 121ST STREET in the John David Lutz Theatre Lab. This play reading is being presented at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, November 10th. From the mind of an exciting new voice in American theater, OUR LADY OF 121ST STREET is set in a Harlem funeral home, where mourners have come to pay their respects to Sister Rose, a beloved teacher and community pillar—only to find her body has been stolen. Through a series of razor-sharp vignettes, old friends and estranged family members reconnect, revealing painful memories, long-buried resentments, and moments of unexpected tenderness. Raw, gritty, and darkly humorous, this play is a powerful exploration of loss, redemption, and the lives shaped by a tough, unforgiving neighborhood.

OUR LADY OF 121ST STREET is directed by Jacovia Young, a junior theatre management major, from Houston, Texas. Jonathan Roth, a junior design and technology major from Brookfield, Wis., is the lighting and sound designer. Brynna Waters, a senior performance major from Marietta, Ga., is the stage manager, and Visiting Assistant Professor, Liz Jenkins ’05 serves as the cultural coordinator.

The cast features Bailey Crawford, a sophomore performance major from Frisco, Texas, as Vic; Antonio Cortés Román, a junior performance major from Metepec, Mexico, as Balthazar; Folarin Oyeleye, a sophomore performance major from Richmond, Texas, as Rooftop; Philana Koto, a first-year performance major from Denton, Texas, as Lux; Mason Norton, a junior performance major from Bremen, Ind., as Flip; Owen White, a sophomore performance major from Valley Center, Kan., as Gail; Brynna Waters, a senior performance major from Brownsburg, Ind., as Inez; Ashly Chalico, a senior performance major from Magnolia, Texas, as Norca; Guldana Karman, a sophomore performance major from Katy, Texas, as Edwina. Kiara Cantu, a first-year performance major from Edinburg, Texas, as Pinky; Jamy Lentz, a sophomore performance major from Denton, Texas, as Marcia; Daphne Wheeler, a sophomore performance major from Star, Idaho, as Sonia.

Tickets are free to the public and seating is general admission.

The University of Evansville Theatre’s traveling performance troupe, The Rogue & Peasant Aces, is thrilled to announce its upcoming performances of William Shakespeare’s A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM.  Don’t miss this chance to enjoy free performances filled with whimsical characters, enchanting magic, and timeless humor.

Performances are at 8:30 p.m., on Friday, Nov. 8, and Saturday, Nov. 9, on the University of Evansville campus in the Ridgway University Center. Additional performances will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Sunday, Nov. 10, at the Wesselman Woods Nature Playscape, and on Sunday, Nov. 17, in the Browning Rooms at the Evansville Central Library.

This family-friendly event is free and open to the public, providing a wonderful opportunity for audiences of all ages to experience the magic of live Shakespeare. Reviving a tradition that began in 1962 with a high school touring production of THE COMEDY OF ERRORS, the University of Evansville Department of Theatre is once again reaching beyond the walls of Shanklin Theatre to bring free performances to the Evansville community.

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM is directed by Visiting Assistant Professor Stacey Yen.  Josie Madzik, a theatre studies major from Howell, Mich., and Mia Lacy, a directing and dramaturgy major from Frisco, Texas, are the costume coordinators; Owen White, a sophomore performance major from Valley Center, Kan., is the sound designer and composer; Jasmine Hardin, a first-year stage management major from Aurora, Colo., serves as the stage manager.

The cast features William Cooper Sanders, a junior performance major from Jeffersonville, Ind, as Theseus; Sydney Gepson, a first-year theatre studies major from San Tan Valley, Ariz,, as Hippolyta; Owen White, a sophomore performance major from Valley Center, Kan., as Egeus; Emily Proctor, a sophomore theatre studies major from Jeffersonville, Ind., as Hermia; Quinn McGaugh, a junior performance major from McAlester, Okla, as Lysander; Bailey Crawford, a sophomore performance major from Frisco, Texas, as Helena; Dinarri Cox, a sophomore performance major from Woodstock, Ga, as Demetrius; Santiago Rueda, a first-year performance major from Garden City, Kan., as Oberon; Antonio Cortés Román, a junior performance major from Metepec, Mexico, as Puck; Sophia McGuire, a junior theatre studies major from McKinney, Texas, as Titania; Landry Barker, a junior performance major from Fort Worth, Texas, as Peter Quince; Brayden Havard, a sophomore performance major from Montgomery, Texas, as Nick Bottom/Pyramus; Joshua Fisher, a first-year performance major from Deer Park, Texas, as Francis Flute/Thisbe; Folarin Oyeleye, a sophomore performance major from Richmond, Texas, as Robin Starveling/Moonshine; Trace Levens, a junior performance major from Bryan, Texas, as Tom Snout/Wall; and Guldana Karman, a sophomore performance major from Katy, Texas, as Snug/Lion.

All performances are free and open to the public with general admission seating. Tickets are not required. If you have any questions, please call 812.488.2030.

Join us for the Staff and Administrator's Assembly monthly book club discussion. This month we will be discussing The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, and playing Book Club Bingo for prizes. Feel free to bring your lunch. We will be meeting Wednesday Nov 20th from 12noon-1pm in the Philips Alcove on the 2nd floor of Ridgway. Please R.S.V.P so we can have enough Bingo cards. Contact person: Kathy Taylor at ks6@evansville.edu.

All students are invited to connect with area nonprofit organizations at an upcoming nonprofit fair happening on Tuesday, November 12, 12:20 - 1:10 in the SOBA Atrium.

This career fair style event is the perfect opportunity to connect with nonprofit organizations and learn about volunteer, internship, and job opportunities in the Evansville area. Lunch will be provided for those who register in advance; please RSVP by November 11 by emailing Megan Conapinski at mt263@evansville.edu.

Mark your calendars for the upcoming Patricia H. Snyder Concert and Lecture Series featuring Sebastian Junger!

Thursday, November 14

7:00 p.m.

Shanklin Theatre

Sebastian Junger is the internationally acclaimed, best-selling author of WAR, The Perfect Storm, A Death in Belmont, and Fire. He is also the acclaimed director of the documentary films Restrepo and Korengal. As a contributing editor to Vanity Fair and as a contributor to ABC News, he has covered major international news stories and has been awarded the National Magazine Award and a SAIS Novartis Prize for Journalism.

Junger’s latest book, In My Time Of Dying, is part medical drama, part searing autobiography, and part rational inquiry into the ultimate unknowable mystery. For years as an award-winning war reporter, Junger traveled to many front lines and frequently put his life at risk. And yet the closest he ever came to death was the summer of 2020. Crippled by abdominal pain, Junger was rushed to the hospital by ambulance. Once there, he began slipping away. As blackness encroached, he was visited by his dead father, inviting Junger to join him. That was the last thing Junger remembered until he came to the next day and was told he had suffered a ruptured aneurysm that he should not have survived. This experience spurred Junger — a confirmed atheist raised by his physicist father to respect the empirical — to undertake a scientific, philosophical, and deeply personal examination of mortality and what happens after we die.

Junger became a fixture in the international media when, as a first-time author, he commanded the New York Times best-seller list for more than three years with The Perfect Storm, which became a major motion picture starring George Clooney.

The exhibition SEEING HER by artist Sandra Charles is presented in the Melvin Peterson Gallery from 10/28/2024 - 12/07/2024.

Please join us at the public reception on Thursday, November 7 at 6:30 pm in the Melvin Peterson Gallery.

The Department of Art presents this exhibit by artist David Kegel in the Krannert Gallery from 10/21/24 - 12/8/24.  Please join us for the public reception on Thursday, November 14 at 6:30 pm in the Krannert Gallery.

Soupapalooza will be held Tuesday, November 5 in Eykamp Hall. Come out and sample some wonderful soups made by our SAA members and choose your favorite. You can purchase a bowl of your favorite soup and dessert for $5.

Soup and dessert will be available from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

We are looking for some great SAA cooks to make soups and desserts for Soupapalooza. Sign up here to make a soup and/or dessert.

All proceeds from Soupapalooza will go to support student scholarships and the SAA general fund.

Join the Center for Student Engagement for the newly developed Leadership Lunch and Learn Series! All students are invited and FREE lunch will be provided for the first 15 people in attendance! 

This lunch and learn series will explore the key elements of the Social Change Model of Leadership Development and Corey Seemiller's Student Leadership Competencies, including:

- Developing personal values, group values, and a commitment to social change
- Building essential leadership skills and competencies such as communication, decision-making, and ethical responsibility
- Applying these principles to real-world leadership opportunities and challenges

Through interactive discussions and collaborative activities, participants will gain valuable insights and strategies to enhance their leadership journey at the University of Evansville.

To close out this semester's last Lunch and Learn discussing the community dimension of the leadership framework, we have the great honor of hosting Erika N. Taylor, J.D., the CEO of the YWCA of Evansville.

Erika Taylor hails from the south side of Chicago where she developed a passion for social justice. She earned a bachelor’s degree in French at Indiana University and went on to earn a law degree from Indiana University McKinney School of Law. After working as an attorney in Chicago city government for 2 years, Erika moved to Evansville where she practiced in the area of commercial litigation. When the opportunity to work as in-house counsel for a local company presented itself, Erika left the daily practice of law to work in the areas of human resources and employment law. From there she served in various executive leadership positions before landing at YWCA Evansville where she now serves as Chief Executive Officer.

Erika has a lifetime of community leadership experience having served on numerous boards and volunteering for countless community groups, committees, and charitable fundraisers. Erika’s passion is helping underserved women and children and advocating for equal rights for all citizens. She is currently a member of the City of Evansville’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council. The YWCA mission of eliminating racism and empowering women is right up her alley and allows her to combine her executive leadership skills with her passion to serve the community.

For any questions, please reach out to the Center for Student Engagement at cse@evansville.edu

The University of Evansville (UE) has secured a nearly $400,000 grant from the United States Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women, to fund and create Project Safespace, a new initiative focused on preventing and addressing sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, and stalking on campus.

This project will benefit all UE students, with a special focus on supporting LGBTQ+ students, students with disabilities, and international students.

Project Safespace will bring together campus and community partners, including the Evansville Police Department, Albion Fellows Bacon Center, and local LGBTQ+ service provider Matthew 25. Through workshops, training sessions, and awareness programs, UE will work to foster a safe campus environment. Activities will include training for bystander intervention and educational programs about healthy relationships.

UE plans to implement this project over the coming years, guided by a new Project Director and input from students who will help shape ongoing efforts.

Chance McDowell and Autumn Mosley's "Unscripted" Podcast just put out another weekly episode! This week, they talk about the election, Shawn Mendez, and more! They even reminice on the past. Tune in each week for a new episode and listen now to hear all about what they have to say!

Evansville Physician Assistant students recently had the opportunity to hear from Dr. Cindy Crowe, who discussed disparities in mental health care within the Latino population. Dr. Crowe's insights broadened the students' perspectives, equipping them to become more compassionate and well-rounded healthcare providers in the future.

Students in the ChangeLab "Celebrating Hispanic Voices" published their fourth episode of the podcast in which Lesly Hernández Parada interviews Darla Luna. Tune in to listen to Darla's story!

A special shout out to our production team, Ale España and Tommy Housman!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3L0w099x2CO23zYRSWEk9w?si=9e3f7a2e2edd4d00

Attention faculty, staff, and students! You could win amazing prizes like Ace Bucks, a Portable Bluetooth Speaker, or a Joyful bag packed with goodies! We will select 3 lucky winners! To enter, simply complete the survey, then screenshot your finished survey and share it on our Instagram, @FoodatUE, or email it to us at kc403@evansville.edu. Don’t miss your chance to win!

Calling all commuter students! The dual student lounge is now open and recieving registrations! The common spaces in Hale Hall are now being opened to commuter students to allow for a more relaxed place to study, get some down time between classes, or have lunch! The spaces that are available include the game room, the kitchen and attached lounge area, and the computer lab. Registration is located on the second floor of Ridgway in the office of residence life. Access is granted 24-48 working hours after registration is complete.

The space operates on the same hours as Ridgway and swipe access is added to your student ID following registration!

Congratulations to our October Employee of the Month, James McDonald! 

James is one of our Groundskeeper’s in Facilities and Physical Plant.

“James is knowledgeable and understands most landscapes and garden techniques. James uses his tools and equipment in a responsible and safe manner.

James is a valuable employee for the University in the Grounds Department. James is very knowledgeable and conscious of ensuring grounds are pleasing to visitors, employees, and students. James consistently does the little things to ensure that the landscaping beds are free of litter and weeds. We have over 80 acres of land at the University and James does a great job throughout all areas including academic, residential, and athletic spaces.

Throughout the year, but especially over the last few months, James has done a great job to ensure Memorial Garden is clean and plants are trimmed well, creating a great place for our students to relax and study.”

Submit a Nomination for Employee of the Month

Nominations for the November Employee of the Month are now open!  https://forms.office.com/r/vAHuvKJLYC

The deadline to submit your nomination is November 15.

Did you know that the Harlaxton team of staff has a Christmas party each December where the main event is a raffle of the items we have received as gifts each year?   The team eagerly awaits the unveiling of items for the raffle and gets to put their name in for the draw of each item.

UE items are always the most popular and we need some UE swag to add to the raffle this year.   What could you donate?   Anything from your collection of marketing items, something you personally make, or something special from your department.

Holly Carter will be at UE for the board meeting and can collect items to bring back to Harlaxton.  Please reach out to her at hc110 if you have something to add to the party this year.

ST LOUIS -- University of Evansville women’s soccer had two players earn a place on the Missouri Valley Conference's all-conference third team.

The MVC announced the 2024 Women's Soccer all-conference teams on Wednesday with Purple Aces Rachel Rosborough (Mt. Brydges, Ontario) and Taylor Johnson (Evansville, Ind. / Reitz HS) making the third team. The two players combined to score four of UE’s nine goals in the 2024 season and 22 shots.

Rosborough and Johnson were voted to the league's all-conference third team in a vote of the league's head coaches.  Rosborough started and played a full 90 minutes in all 16 matches this year along UE's backline helping Evansville record five shutouts.  She finished the year fourth on the team in shots, recorded her first goal since 2021, and set the Aces program record for most minutes played in a career at 6,596.

Johnson played in all 16 matches for UE while starting in 14 matches. Johnson was Evansville’s leading scorer in 2024 along with freshman Emmy Brenner (Arlington, Tenn. / St. Benedict at Auburndale HS) with three goals. Johnson recorded 11 shots over 16 matches with seven landing on goal for 63.6% accuracy.

For Rosborough, it marked the fifth-straight year in which she was honored in the league's post-season awards for her hard work in defense for UE.  She earned MVC All-Freshman team honors in the COVID Spring season of 2021, before earning honorable mention all-Valley honors as a sophomore later that fall, third-team all-MVC honors in 2022, and second-team all-MVC honors in 2023. This is Johnson’s first postseason recognition with the Aces.

Missouri State swept the postseason individual awards after a dominating 9-0-1 run in Valley play. Evansville was the only team to play spoiler to the Bears with their lone tie of MVC action. Senior forward Julia Kristensen was named the MVC Player of the Year while senior Jenna Anderson was named Defensive Player of the Year. For the second season in a row graduate goalkeeper Camilla Day was named the Goalkeeper of the Year. While freshman defender Jane Hansen was named the Freshman of the Year.

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Looking to build on a 5-1 home Missouri Valley Conference record, the University of Evansville volleyball team plays host to Belmont and Murray State on Thursday and Friday.  UE welcomes the Bruins to open the weekend before facing the Racers on Friday; both contests begin at 6 p.m. and will be carried on ESPN+.

Last Time Out

- For the second day in a row, the Aces earned a 5-set victory as they defeated Bradley on Saturday

- Giulia Cardona posted 31 kills in the winning effort while Ainoah Cruz picked up 21 digs and Kora Ruff chipped in a double-double with 35 assists and 11 digs

National Player of the Week

- Giulia Cardona was named the AVCA/Gamechanger Division I National Player of the Week on Tuesday

- It marked the second time she earned the accolade in her career

- The award came on the heels of a weekend that saw her finish with 6.50 kills per set in 5-set wins over Illinois State and Bradley

- In the two matches, Cardona hit an unreal .357 while adding a total of 18 digs, five blocks, and two service aces

On a Roll

- Averaging 6.50 kills per set in wins over Illinois State and Bradley, Giulia Cardona earned National and MVC Player of the Week honors

- After posting 34 in the win over the Redbirds, Cardona added 31 versus the Braves

- Her pursuit of the all-time MVC career kills record continues as her tally of 2,183 is just 111 away from breaking the league mark of 2,293 set by Lily Johnson

- Cardona leads the nation in kills/set (5.60), total kills (549), points/set (6.24), total points (611.5), total attacks (1,548) and attacks/set (15.80)

Back in the Rankings

- Despite missing 11 matches, Kora Ruff has played in enough matches to regain MVC stat ranking eligibility

- Her average of 8.90 assists/set is 4th in the league and she is on the league list in digs (22nd-2.65/set) and service aces (4th-0.37/set)

- Ruff finished with a season-best 55 assists in the win over SIU

Career-High

- In the home win over Illinois State, Chloe Cline set a new career mark with 11 kills

- Her accuracy was spot on as she finished the contest at .435

- For the season, Cline his hitting .298 and ranks 8th in the MVC

- She reached double figure kills for the first time against SIU, finishing with 10

- Equally impressive was her accuracy as she hit .625; in the weekend wins over SIU and MSU, she averaged 2.11 kills per game

- Cline has registered 4+ kills in 13 of the last 16 matches

Scouting the Opposition

- Belmont heads into Thursday’s contest with a record of 8-17 while going 3-10 in Valley play

- Brooke Gilleland paces the team with 3.04 kills per set

- Murray State opens the weekend with a 12-10 overall mark and sit at 7-6 in conference matches

- They are led by Ella Vogel’s 3.89 kills per set

The Purple Aces saw their five game unbeaten streak come to an end last week in their final Missouri Valley Conference trip to Springfield. UE struggled in the second half against the No. 17 Missouri State Bears on their turf giving up five goals in 45 minutes. Evansville did take the initial lead against the Bears within the first 10 minutes of the match. Redshirt freshman midfielder Jacopo Fedrizzi (Giulia, Italy) added his fourth goal of the season and third in four matches at Betty & Bobby Allison South Stadium. Fedrizzi found his way to the six and shot the ball past Missouri State's goalkeeper into the middle of the net.

The Aces welcome the Belmont Bruins to the River City for the final regular season match of 2024. Belmont comes to Arad McCutchan Stadium with a 5-8-3 overall record and a 1-5-1 Valley record. The Bruins picked up their lone conference win two weeks ago in Chicago against the Flames with a 1-0 victory. Belmont is led by senior midfielder AJ Chastonay with 12 points from five goals and two assists. In net the Bruins graduate goalkeeper Grant Calvert has allowed only 18 goals in 16 games with 43 saves and five shutouts.

The Aces now have six multi-goal scorers as they head into their final match of the regular season. Senior forward Nacho Diaz Barragan (Almeria, Spain) continues to lead the way with six goals while Fedrizzi and graduate forward Sami Owusu (Denver / Dayton) have four goals apiece. In total UE has 10 separate goal scorers.

Evansville heads into Friday's match with a postseason spot secured in the MVC Tournament. The Aces will look to host one of the two quarterfinal matches with a win over Belmont. Results across the Valley on Wednesday will determine UE's seeding with the potential to be as high as third and as low as five.

INDIANAPOLIS – The University of Evansville women’s basketball team dropped its first game of the 2024-25 season 101-76 at IU Indy.

Despite a strong start with a 26-point first quarter, the Purple Aces offense couldn’t keep pace with the IU Indy Jaguars. Four UE players ended the night in double-digits led by sophomore forward Maggie Hartwig (Sauk City, Wis. / Sauk Prairie HS) with 21 points. Also in double-digits were senior guard Julia Palomo (La Seu d’Urgell, Spain) and freshman guards Camryn Runner (Cicero, Ind. / Hamilton Heights HS) and Kylee Norkus (Naperville, Ill. / Neuqua Valley HS).

It was a quick start for Evansville as Palomo hit the first bucket of the night with a three-pointer. The Aces kept the lead for over six minutes as UE made two threes and held the Jaguars scoreless for two separate minute stretches. But IU Indy caught back up to Evansville as the lead was traded three times in the final four minutes of the first quarter. A three with just under 40 seconds on the clock for the Jaguars had the Aces down by only two after 10 minutes.

Neither team found the basket for the first minute and a half of the second quarter. But IU Indy began the scoring with five points to set UE back by seven. Evansville was able to cut into the deficit at the line, but an 11-point run for the Jaguars forced an Aces timeout midway through the quarter. Hartwig eventually broke the scoring drought for UE with a jumper trey as Evansville had a brief four-point run with just over two to go. IU Indy increased its lead to 13 with a minute left in the half but a fast break bucket and trip to the line for the Aces made it a 52-42 game after two quarters.

The second half began with traded baskets between the teams for the first seven minutes. An eight-point run for the Jaguars pushed UE’s deficit to 19. Hartwig broke the IU Indy run with another three in the final minute of the third quarter. But the trey was the last made bucket making it a 78-60 game with only 10 minutes remaining.

Evansville had a four-point run early in the final quarter of the night bringing the gap down to 16 points. The Aces weren’t able to string together another run until the final minute and a half of the game. The Jaguar lead ballooned to 29 with under two minutes to go after a 14-2 stretch over three minutes. UE made three more baskets to end the game but ultimately fell to IU Indy 101-76.

Along with leading the team on offense Hartwig also led the team in rebounds with nine. Point guard Avery Kelley (Evansville, Ind. / Memorial HS) dished out five assists while four separate players had a steal each. Evansville’s best shooting quarter was the first as they went almost 70% from the floor while overall the team shot 41%. The Aces struggled with turnovers, giving the ball away 23 times on Tuesday. But UE got extra chances throughout the game by drawing 21 fouls for 28 chances at the line.

Evansville hosts its first home game of the 2024-25 season on Sunday, November 10th. The Aces will welcome Wright State to Meeks Family Fieldhouse for the first time as the Raiders last visited the River City in 2008. Tip-off for Sunday’s game is set for 11 a.m.

DENTON, Texas – University of Evansville freshman Gabriel Pozzato scored a game-high 28 points in his collegiate debut as the Purple Aces men’s basketball team fell to North Texas by a final of 80-63 on Tuesday night at the Super Pit.

Pozzato converted 10 of his 16 attempts while hitting three triples and hauling in three boards.  Tanner Cuff recorded 11 points while Tayshawn Comer scored nine in his UE debut.  Jasper Floyd was the leading scorer for the Mean Green, finishing with 23 while Johnathan Massie scored 18.

“In the first half, we were just impatient and let their pressure get the best of us.  I thought we finally settled in as the second half went along,” UE head coach David Ragland said.  “We were able to put some more pressure on them and hit some shots.  There are some good segments on both ends that we can take away and learn from tonight.  We will learn from this experience and get better because of it.”

Cuff gave UE a 2-0 lead out of the gate before the Mean Green countered with a 9-1 run to go up 9-3.  UNT converted its first three outside attempts.  Gabriel Pozzato knocked down Evansville’s first 3-pointer of the night to cut the deficit to three before a triple from Tayshawn Comer made it a 13-9 game at the 14:34 mark of the opening half.

That is when North Texas kicked it into high gear.  Over the next ten minutes, UNT outscored the Aces by a 26-5 margin to open a 39-14 advantage as the first half entered its final five minutes.  They would extend the lead to 26 points (42-16) in the final two minutes before a late free throw by Pozzato made it a 42-17 game at the break.  The Mean Green shot 47.1% from the field and long range in the first half while the defense held UE to 27.3% in the first half and 15.4% (2-for-13) from outside.

Despite facing a 29-point deficit in the opening moments of the second half, the Aces battled back.  One minute in, the Mean Green took a game-high 46-17 lead.  UE made a quick 4-0 spurt before UNT established a 52-24 lead at the 16-minute mark.  Over the next five minutes, the Aces put together their best stretch of the night, going on a 16-3 run to make it a 15-point game.

Cam Haffner got on the board with consecutive triples before Pozzato recorded 10 points as UE made it a 55-40 game with 11:15 remaining while two more free throws by the freshman made it a 14-point game with 8:09 showing on the clock.  The teams traded baskets over the next several minutes as UNT worked to avoid letting the Aces get any closer.  UE made it a 12-point game in the final minutes before the Mean Green finished the night with the 80-63 triumph.

Evansville outshot North Texas by a 46.8%-45.6% margin.  In its second-half comeback attempt, the Aces shot 64% and converted six of their final 13 tries from outside.  The Mean Green completed the night with a 39-22 edge on the glass.  Josh Hughes was the leading rebounder for UE, finishing with six while Cuff posted five boards and four assists.

On Saturday, UE will open its regular-season home slate with a 1 p.m. game against Brescia.

ST. LOUIS – Averaging 6.50 kills, University of Evansville senior Giulia Cardona led the Purple Aces to a pair of Missouri Valley Conference victories and picked up her second league Player of the Week honor on Monday.

On top of her kills mark, Cardona hit .357. She added a total of 18 dogs, five blocks, and a pair of service aces.

Cardona opened the week with a 34-kill performance in Friday's win over Illinois State. She hit an unreal .453 in the performance while recording eight digs and two aces.

Saturday's win over Bradley saw her post 31 kills and hit an efficient .278. Cardona registered 10 digs in the winning effort. 

The weekend saw her add another 65 kills to her career tally. With 2,183 in her career, Cardona is 111 away from breaking the all-time MVC mark.

The Aces begin a new season campaign on Tuesday evening with their first game of the 2024-25 season. After a tough 2023-24 season that saw UE go 4-28, Evansville is hoping to rebound to double-digit wins over the course of the winter. The Aces start on the road in a return visit to the IU Indy Jaguars after they made their way to Evansville in 2023. This is the first time UE has been to the Jungle in a decade after the programs last visit in 2014.

IU Indy finished the 2023-24 season with a 7-23 record going 5-15 in Horizon League play. The Jaguars ended the season in the Horizon League tournament with a 73-50 loss to Youngstown State. IU Indy enters the new season with a handful of familiar faces including Second Team All-Horizon League guard/forward Katie Davidson. Davidson was named to the Preseason All-League Second Team in the Horizon League preseason vote after leading the team in scoring in 23-24 averaging 16.4 points per game. The Jaguars also return forwards Faith Stinson, Alexa Hocevar, and guards Logan Lewis and Camron Blank.

Evansville had a strong exhibition showing last week in Meeks Family Fieldhouse against the Division III Franklin College Grizzlies. The Aces beat the Grizzlies 86-60 with sophomore forward Maggie Hartwig leading the way on offense. Hartwig scored 26 points and 14 rebounds in her return to action on Wednesday evening. Hartwig was UE's third leading scorer in 2023-24, averaging 11.5 points a contest along with 7.5 rebounds for second on the team.

Along with Hartwig, Evansville returns six players from the 2023-24 roster. This includes senior guards Alana Striverson, Julia Palomo and Madlena Gerke, sophomore point guard Tene Smith, junior forward Mae Dozier, and senior forward Anica Skrivan. The Aces welcome eight new faces to their roster with freshman guards Avery Kelley, Camryn Runner, Kaiden Kreinhagen, Kylee Norkus, Logan Luebbers Palmer, and Elle Snyder along with forward transfers Mira Hanna and Claudia Clement.

LEXINGTON, Ky. – For the second time in her career, University of Evansville senior Giulia Cardona has been named the AVCA/Gamechanger Division I National Player of the Week.

The announcement comes on the heels of another stellar weekend that saw Cardona lead the Purple Aces to Missouri Valley Conference victories over Illinois State and Bradley.  On Monday, she earned her second MVC Player of the Week honor of 2024.

Cardona completed the weekend with an average of 6.50 kills per set while hitting .357 for the week.  She wrapped up her two matches with a total of 18 digs, five blocks and a pair of service aces.

Her week opened with a 34-kill performance as Evansville overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat Illinois State in five sets.  She hit an unbelievable .453 in the effort.  On Saturday, she came back with 31 kills and 10 digs while hitting .278 in another 5-set victory against Bradley.

The weekend saw her add another 65 kills to her career tally. With 2,183 in her career, Cardona is 111 away from breaking the all-time MVC mark.