University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Volleyball Falls In Straight Sets to Arkansas State
10/19/2023 8:48:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
JONESBORO, Ark.-Southern Miss (7-13, 2-7 Sun Belt) dropped the first match of its series against Arkansas State (12-9, 1-8 Sun Belt) in three sets Thursday night in the First National Bank Area.
The Red Wolves earned its first conference sweep of the season, led by a .255 hitting percentage, which outpaced the Golden Eagles' .100 clip.
Mia Wesley led the team with seven kills, and defensively libero Megan Harris tallied 14 digs for her 16th consecutive game with ten or more digs.
Arkansas State jumped to a five-point lead early in the first set, but Southern Miss found a rhythm on a four-point run. Junior Reagan Leinen notched her third kill of the set, followed by two service aces from Wesley to narrow the lead.
While Southern Miss shaved the lead down to two points, the Red Wolves held onto its advantage and closed the set at 25-20.
Southern Miss fought back from a deficit again in the second set, tying the game at seven apiece after a kill by Aysu Dalogullari and a block from Wesley. However, the Golden Eagles could never take the lead as Arkansas State powered ahead for an eleven-point victory at 25-14.
Southern Miss captured its first lead in the third set, coming out of the break with a hot start. The Golden Eagles scored the first four points of the set, and forced an Arkansas State timeout with an 8-2 lead.Â
Junior Ari Barksdale got going in the period, notching three blocks and a pair of kills. Her third block put Southern Miss up 16-12, but Arkansas State started to inch back.Â
The Red Wolves completed its comeback after tying the game at 19 and reclaiming the lead on the way to a final 25-22 victory.
Up Next
Southern Miss looks to bounce back against Arkansas State tomorrow with another match at 6 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.