Multiple Golden Eagles Earn Career-Highs in Close Loss to Louisiana

Thursday, October 10

Lafayette, La. / Earl K. Long Gymnasium

6 p.m.

Southern Miss

7-10, 3-2SBC

Louisiana

5-9, 1-2SBC

Team	1	2	3	4	5	Final F
Southern Miss	23	25	25	25	15	2
Louisiana	25	27	21	19	17	3

Multiple Golden Eagles Earn Career-Highs in Close Loss to Louisiana

10/10/2024 11:43:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

LAFAYETTE, La. – Several Southern Miss players posted career-high stats in Thursday night's match, which ended in a close five-set loss to Louisiana. Sadie McAda led the Golden Eagles with 24 kills and 30 digs.

Southern Miss responded early with a kill from Izzy Kronenberg to tie the score at 1-1. Another kill from McAda pushed the score to 2-1. Despite some momentum swings, Southern Miss tied the game at 9-9 with a crucial kill from Aysu Dalogullari. However, Louisiana made key plays late, taking the first set 25-23.

Southern Miss fought back in the second set, tying it at 1-1 after McAda and Torrey Tkach combined for a block. An ace from Kaylee Lowther pushed Southern Miss ahead 2-1. Lillie Johnson and Kronenberg earned a block, closing the gap to 12-7. Louisiana pulled ahead, but Southern Miss rallied, narrowing the deficit to 22-22 with consecutive kills from McAda. Despite their efforts, the Golden Eagles fell just short, losing the set 27-25.

Southern Miss came out strong in the third set, with a service ace from Sunni Sheppard giving them the early lead. McAda's relentless attacking extended the lead to 6-3. Brynn Botkin and McAda continued to apply pressure with key kills, helping Southern Miss maintain a lead throughout the set. A final kill from McAda secured the set for Southern Miss, 25-21.

The Golden Eagles started the fourth set strong, jumping to a 7-5 lead after a kill from Dalogullari. Tkach delivered a powerful kill to push the score to 13-7, giving Southern Miss a commanding lead. Strong defense, particularly blocking from Tkach and McAda, kept them in control. McAda's key kills down the stretch helped Southern Miss close the set 25-19, forcing a decisive fifth set.

In the final set, both teams traded points early. A block by Kronenberg and Madison Baldridge pushed Southern Miss ahead 8-6. McAda continued to shine with crucial kills, keeping Southern Miss competitive. However, Louisiana took the final points to win the set 17-15, sealing the match.

McAda had a standout game, leading the match with 24 kills. She and Sheppard tied for the most digs in the match with 30. Hayden Riddle paced the Golden Eagles' offense with 32 assists. Tkach finished with eight total blocks, more than any other player in the match.
In addition to McAda's performance, Lowther notched a career-high with 15 digs. Johnson also posted a career-best with four kills, five digs, and three total blocks.

The Golden Eagles play again Friday at Louisiana for the second and final match of the series. First serve is set for 6 p.m.

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