Southern Miss
0-3,0-0Sun Belt
Southern California
1-2,0-0Pac-12
Southern Miss Falls In Three Sets To USC
8/27/2023 2:28:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
HOUSTON, Texas- Southern Miss fell to 0-3 in its opening weekend slate all against ranked opponents after dropping three sets to No. 22 USC Sunday morning at the Ferttita Center.
ÂThe Trojans' victory was capitalized by their advantage on the attack, where they outhit Southern Miss with a .320 hitting percentage compared to the Golden Eagles' .150 clip.
ÂBoth teams exchanged points early in the first set, but the Trojans marched to a 25-17 win thanks to a breakaway run.
ÂSouthern Miss responded in the following set, earning its first lead of the game from a service ace by Cara Atkinson and extending it with a 5-0 run of its own.
ÂHowever, the Trojans closed the gap and fought with the Golden Eagles. Eight ties and four lead changes later, USC cemented its victory on a late rally to win the set 25-21.
ÂSouthern Miss jumped to its best advantage of the game early in the third set with a 6-2 lead. Reagan Leinen earned a pair of blocks in the set, tying her career-high of three.
ÂThe Trojans again charged back, going on a 10-0 run that Southern Miss could not overcome. Cailin Demps and Aysu Dalogullari responded with two kills, but USC ended the set at 25-16 to take the game and earn its first win of the season.
ÂMia Wesley registered a team-high ten kills, reaching double-digit figures in all three matches this weekend.
ÂUp Next:
ÂSouthern Miss will look to get in the win column when they travel to Nacogdoches, Texas next weekend for the Stephen F. Austin Tournament on Sept. 1-2.
ÂThe Golden Eagles will face Nicholls, Cal Poly and Stephen F. Austin.
