University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss
14-8,6-5Sun Belt
Texas State
11-11,6-5Sun Belt
Volleyball drops Close Four Set Match to Texas State
10/31/2025 9:25:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
Southern Miss opened with energy, earning the first point on a Sadie McAda kill and building early momentum behind precise setting from Gaby Zovko. The Golden Eagles capitalized on several Texas State errors and timely kills from Elly Stewart and Emily Davis to edge ahead 7–5. A pair of blocks by Brynn Botkin and Lillie Johnson helped extend the lead to 12–10, forcing a Bobcat timeout. Out of the break, the teams traded points in a back-and-forth stretch that saw the score tied nine times. McAda continued to pace the offense, recording her fifth kill of the set, while Botkin added a clutch swing to make it 23–20. The Bobcats pulled within one late, but Southern Miss held firm, with McAda closing the set at 25–23 on a feed from Zovko to put the Golden Eagles ahead, 1–0.
The second frame mirrored the intensity of the first, featuring long rallies and several lead changes. Southern Miss jumped out to an early 3–1 lead after forcing back-to-back errors, and Botkin's ace midway through the set put the Golden Eagles up 16–15. McAda and Stewart each added kills to push the advantage to two, but Texas State found rhythm from the service line to even the score again. A pair of quick kills from Botkin and McAda brought the crowd to its feet as Southern Miss moved in front 22–21, but a late surge from the Bobcats closed out the set. Despite another kill from Botkin to keep the Eagles within one, Texas State took the final three points to even the match with a 25–23 win.
Texas State carried its momentum into the third, jumping out to a 9–4 lead before Southern Miss could find its footing. McAda and Botkin helped steady the attack, combining for four kills during a 5–2 run to trim the deficit. A pair of defensive stops from Sunni Sheppard and strong blocking by Elly Stewart slowed the Bobcats' momentum, but Texas State continued to apply pressure offensively. Late in the set, Zovko connected with Johnson and Botkin for consecutive kills to keep Southern Miss within striking distance. The Golden Eagles pushed back to 18–20 after a McAda finish, but Texas State held strong to close the frame 25–20 and take a 2–1 match lead.
Southern Miss came out determined to force a fifth set, trading points early before pulling even at 8–8 behind a service ace from Kaylee Lowther. McAda and Botkin fueled the offense with back-to-back kills, while Johnson's ace capped a 6–2 run that gave the Golden Eagles a 17–15 lead. Southern Miss extended its advantage to 22–17 following another Botkin ace and a McAda swing down the line, but Texas State answered with a late run to pull even. Despite a pair of critical blocks from Johnson and Botkin, the Bobcats managed to take the final points and secure the match with a 26-24 fourth-set victory.
McAda led Southern Miss with 19 kills and 13 digs, while Botkin followed with 12 kills, 18 digs, and two aces. Zovko tallied 36 assists while Johnson had seven total blocks..
Southern Miss and Texas State will meet again Saturday at noon inside the Wellness Center for Youth Sports Day.
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