Friday, October 3
Jonesboro, Ark. / First National Bank Arena
6 p.m.
Southern Miss
10-4,2-1Sun Belt
1
at
3
Arkansas State
9-5,2-1Sun Belt
1
2
3
4
F
Southern Miss.
25
22
18
24
1
Arkansas St.
21
25
25
26
3
Botkin Notches Career-Best in Loss to Arkansas State
10/3/2025 9:52:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
JONESBORO, Ark. – Brynn Botkin delivered a career-high 10 service aces, but Southern Miss volleyball (10-4, 2-1 Sun Belt) fell in four sets, 25-21, 22-25, 18-25, 24-26, to Arkansas State on Friday night inside First National Bank Arena.
Southern Miss opened the match strong, using an early 5-1 run behind kills from Sadie McAda and Elly Stewart to set the tone. Botkin then served three straight points, including two of her 10 aces, to push the lead to 15-10. The Red Wolves closed the gap to 21-19, but Stewart and McAda combined for back-to-back kills before Stewart sealed the frame with a final swing for the 25-21 win.
In the second set, Arkansas State turned momentum with a 6-1 stretch midway through to build a 19-15 advantage. The Golden Eagles rallied back behind two kills from McAda and an ace from Botkin to make it 23-22, but Arkansas State capitalized on a Southern Miss error and evened the match with a 25-22 decision.
The third set belonged to the Red Wolves as they rode a 7-2 opening run and never looked back. Southern Miss was limited to nine kills with eight errors in the frame, as Arkansas State extended its lead to as many as eight before closing it out 25-18.
The fourth set was the tightest of the night, featuring nine ties and four lead changes. Southern Miss built a 17-14 lead with kills from McAda and Aubrey Judd, but Arkansas State countered with a 5-1 run to go ahead 22-20. The Golden Eagles fought back to tie it at 23 and then took a 24-23 edge on a McAda kill. The Red Wolves responded with three straight points to steal the set 26-24 and secure the match.
McAda paced the offense with 14 kills, while Botkin added 10 kills to pair with her career-high 10 aces. Stewart tallied five blocks, and setter Morgen Durgens directed the attack with 18 assists. Libero Sunni Sheppard anchored the back row with 20 digs.
Southern Miss will compete against the Red Wolves in game two of the series Saturday at noon in the First Bank Arena.
To keep up with the Golden Eagles, follow our Instagram (@southernmissvball), X (@southernmissvb), and Facebook (Southern Miss Volleyball).
Team Stats
USM
ASU
Kills
42
57
Errors
32
25
Attempts
178
178
Hitting %
.056
.180
Points
67.0
72.0
Assists
39
52
Aces
13
1
Blocks
12
14
Game Leaders
Kills
14
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
8
Aces
0
Blocks
5
Kills
5
Aces
10
Blocks
2
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
5
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
L
/ Women's VolleyballMB
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