Volleyball Falls in Straight Sets at South Alabama

Friday, October 17

Mobile, Ala. / Jaguar Gym

6 p.m.

Southern Miss

13-5,5-2Sun Belt

South Alabama

11-7,6-1Sun Belt

Southern Miss.

South Alabama

Volleyball Falls in Straight Sets at South Alabama

10/17/2025 9:24:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

MOBILE, Ala. – Southern Miss dropped a three-set match (25-20, 25-21, 25-18) to South Alabama on Friday evening inside Jaguar Gymnasium. The loss moves the Golden Eagles to 13-5 overall and 5-2 in Sun Belt play, while the Jaguars improve to 11-7 and 6-1 in conference.

Southern Miss came out strong in the opening frame, keeping pace early behind kills from Sadie McAda and Brynn Botkin. The Golden Eagles trailed 16-14 midway through but couldn't overcome a late South Alabama run. McAda and Lillie Johnson added kills to cut the deficit to four, but the Jaguars closed on a 4-1 run to take the set, 25-20.

The second set featured several long rallies as both teams traded early points. McAda continued to pace the offense with four kills in the frame, and Sunni Sheppard kept the Golden Eagles within reach with a pair of service aces. A kill from Botkin brought Southern Miss within two at 22-20, but South Alabama held on for a 25-21 win to go up 2-0.

Southern Miss fought to extend the match in the third set, with McAda and Johnson combining for six kills. Gaby Zovko and Morgen Durgens were able to pace the offense, while Sheppard anchored the defense with 12 total digs. Despite an early 9-8 lead, the Golden Eagles struggled to find rhythm late as the Jaguars used a 7-2 closing stretch to secure the 25-18 win and the sweep.

McAda led Southern Miss with 10 kills, 11 digs, and one ace, while Botkin followed with eight kills and eight digs. Johnson finished with five kills and two block assists, and Stewart added three kills. Zovko and Durgens combined for 27 assists, while Sheppard totaled 12 digs and three aces.

As a team, the Golden Eagles hit .129 with 33 kills, five service aces, and 55 digs.

Southern Miss will look to bounce back when the two teams meet again on Saturday at 1 p.m. inside Jaguar Gymnasium.

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