Barksdale's Career Day Sparks Southern Miss' Sweep of ULM

Thursday, October 5

Southern Miss Wellness Center

7 p.m.

Southern Miss

ULM

Barksdale's Career Day Sparks Southern Miss' Sweep of ULM

10/5/2023 10:13:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

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HATTIESBURG, Miss.-Junior Ari Barksdale did it all for Southern Miss Thursday night in the Wellness Center, enjoying career-highs offensively and defensively to spark the way to a 3-0 sweep in the first match against ULM.

The Chula Vista, Calif. native tallied a career-best ten kills on a .467 hitting percentage and a total of seven blocks, including a career-high three solo blocks.

"Ari has been working so hard, and for this whole team, that's a big part of their identity," head coach Jenny Hazelwood said. "Ari's just really dialed into, 'this is what I want to be great in, and I am going to work hard in my transitions and routes so I can hit and be available'. She does that, and she's available. And blocking-wise, her IQ of what she sees and what she then makes the reaction to what happens is super high level. I am really proud of Ari and all she's doing because she's earned it."

Along with Barksdale, Southern Miss rallied together for a complete team performance, hitting a combined .257 hitting percentage to snap a five-game losing streak.

The Golden Eagles continued where they left off from their season-high 18 blocks against Troy last weekend, recording 11 blocks up front versus the Warhawks. Before the last two matches, Southern Miss had only recorded double-digit blocks once this season.

"Blocking has been something that we've focused a lot on, from a mental standpoint. It's been a good mental focus, and our blocking in this match and last match has been some of the best we've had. It's been a really good focus by the team across the board," Hazelwood said.

Mia Wesley paced both teams with 11 kills and added 10 digs for her seventh double-double of the season, and Cara Atkinson posted seven kills on a .583 clip with six digs and four blocks.

Sophomore Ella Voorhees made her second straight start at setter, dishing out 33 assists and nine digs. Libero Megan Harris led both teams with 19 digs.

Barksdale got going early, posting four kills in the first set and two early blocks, including a solo block on the first play of the game. The Golden Eagles held an advantage the entire opening set and capped the set 25-17 on a 9-2 run.

Atkinson warmed up in the second set, notching a pair of kills to put Southern Miss up front. Wesley led the team to the first with 15 by scoring back-to-back points in a kill and service ace.

Barksdale extended Southern Miss' lead on a 4-0 run with two kills and a block, and then gave the Golden Eagles a set point with another kill and block. ULM staged a comeback attempt, narrowing the lead to one, but Southern Miss won the set 25-23 on an attack error from the Warhawks.

While both teams exchanged points to start the third set, the Golden Eagles pulled ahead in the middle of the period with efforts from Barksdale, Atkinson, and freshman Sadie McAda. A block by Wesley and Atkinson pushed the team ahead by eight points, and Southern Miss held the lead on its way to a 25-17 set victory.

The Golden Eagles won its seventh straight game at home, dating back to last season. All six of Southern Miss' wins this season have been sweeps.

Up Next

Southern Miss faces ULM again tomorrow at 5 p.m. in the Wellness Center. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.