University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss Falls in Four Sets to South Alabama
9/22/2023 8:56:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
MOBILE, Ala.-Despite taking an advantage by winning the first set, Southern Miss (5-8, 0-2 Sun Belt)Â fell to South Alabama (11-3, 2-0 Sun Belt) Friday in Mobile, Ala. after the Jaguars responded with three straight set victories (25-22, 15-25, 18-25, 15-25).
While the Golden Eagles got off to a hot start hitting at .324 in the first set, the Jaguars again outhit Southern Miss in Jaguar Gym. South Alabama hit at .269 compared to Southern Miss' .103 clip Friday.
The Jaguars defended its homecourt as they have the past three seasons, improving to 27-2 at home during Head Coach Jesse Ortiz's tenure.
Southern Miss looked to respond from Thursday's loss, as they trailed early in the first set again. While South Alabama took an early seven-point lead, the Golden Eagles conducted a 5-0 run to close the lead with Ari Barksdale tallying three consecutive kills. The Chula Vista, Calif. native started the game on a perfect four of four attempts as Southern Miss attempted to come back from the deficit.
Cailin Demps gave Southern Miss its first lead of the game at 22-21 and then a match-point advantage with another kill, leading the Golden Eagles to complete the comeback with a 25-22 victory.
The Golden Eagles set the tone for what became an intense battle at the start of the second set, as freshman Sadie McAda recorded her fifth kill of the game to tie it 6-6. After a run from the Jaguars, Southern Miss again responded on a run of its own to tie the game at 10-10, capped by a block from Cara Atkinson and setter Franky Panunzio.
However, South Alabama found separation and extended its lead to five to force a timeout and then close the set out on a 6-0 run at 25-15.Â
The Jaguars continued its momentum for the rest of the match as Southern Miss followed behind. Atkinson found a rhythm, helping the Golden Eagles battle in the beginning of the third set as she combined for a block and added three kills to narrow a three-point lead. The Jaguars pulled ahead again on a 5-2 run late in the set and capitalized with a 25-18 victory.Â
While Southern Miss managed to take the lead twice in the third set, the Jaguars commanded the deciding set with a 10-0 run. Atkinson ended the streak and the Golden Eagles managed to scratch more points, but South Alabama finished its four-set win with a 25-15 set victory.
Demps led the team with 13 kills on a .393 hitting percentage, tying her season-high. Wesley added 12 kills and six digs in the match, and Atkinson and McAda each registered seven kills. Defensively, Megan Harris led Southern Miss with a season-high 23 digs.Â
Up Next
Southern Miss will stay on the road in Alabama as they head to face the Troy Trojans next weekend on Sept. 29-30. Both games will be televised on ESPN+.
While the Golden Eagles got off to a hot start hitting at .324 in the first set, the Jaguars again outhit Southern Miss in Jaguar Gym. South Alabama hit at .269 compared to Southern Miss' .103 clip Friday.
The Jaguars defended its homecourt as they have the past three seasons, improving to 27-2 at home during Head Coach Jesse Ortiz's tenure.
Southern Miss looked to respond from Thursday's loss, as they trailed early in the first set again. While South Alabama took an early seven-point lead, the Golden Eagles conducted a 5-0 run to close the lead with Ari Barksdale tallying three consecutive kills. The Chula Vista, Calif. native started the game on a perfect four of four attempts as Southern Miss attempted to come back from the deficit.
Cailin Demps gave Southern Miss its first lead of the game at 22-21 and then a match-point advantage with another kill, leading the Golden Eagles to complete the comeback with a 25-22 victory.
The Golden Eagles set the tone for what became an intense battle at the start of the second set, as freshman Sadie McAda recorded her fifth kill of the game to tie it 6-6. After a run from the Jaguars, Southern Miss again responded on a run of its own to tie the game at 10-10, capped by a block from Cara Atkinson and setter Franky Panunzio.
However, South Alabama found separation and extended its lead to five to force a timeout and then close the set out on a 6-0 run at 25-15.Â
The Jaguars continued its momentum for the rest of the match as Southern Miss followed behind. Atkinson found a rhythm, helping the Golden Eagles battle in the beginning of the third set as she combined for a block and added three kills to narrow a three-point lead. The Jaguars pulled ahead again on a 5-2 run late in the set and capitalized with a 25-18 victory.Â
While Southern Miss managed to take the lead twice in the third set, the Jaguars commanded the deciding set with a 10-0 run. Atkinson ended the streak and the Golden Eagles managed to scratch more points, but South Alabama finished its four-set win with a 25-15 set victory.
Demps led the team with 13 kills on a .393 hitting percentage, tying her season-high. Wesley added 12 kills and six digs in the match, and Atkinson and McAda each registered seven kills. Defensively, Megan Harris led Southern Miss with a season-high 23 digs.Â
Up Next
Southern Miss will stay on the road in Alabama as they head to face the Troy Trojans next weekend on Sept. 29-30. Both games will be televised on ESPN+.
Team Stats
USM
USA
Kills
46
54
Errors
30
18
Attempts
156
134
Hitting %
.103
.269
Points
56.0
72.0
Assists
42
45
Aces
3
6
Blocks
7
12
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
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