Zovko earns 2000th Career Assist in Win Against Marshall

Thursday, November 13

Southern Miss Wellness Center

6 p.m.

Southern Miss

15-11,7-8Sun Belt

Marshall

15-13,7-8Sun Belt

Marshall

Southern Miss.

Zovko earns 2000th Career Assist in Win Against Marshall

11/13/2025 9:29:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

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HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Setter Gaby Zovko earns her 2000th career assist Thursday evening in the team's win against Marshall in the Wellness Center. The Golden Eagles earned the match in sets of 18-25, 25-22, 25-20, and 25-23.

Southern Miss dropped the opening set after Marshall jumped out to an early lead. Despite steady swings from Sadie McAda, Keira O'Donnell, and Diana Wells, the Golden Eagles struggled to string together runs as Marshall capitalized on miscues and controlled the pace. Wells added a pair of kills late in the frame and O'Donnell posted several strong touches at the net, but Southern Miss ultimately fell 25–18.

The Golden Eagles responded with fire in the second set, quickly resetting the tone. McAda opened with a strong kill before the offense flowed through Wells, who hammered down several well-placed swings off feeds from Zovko and Sunni Sheppard. O'Donnell sparked a surge with back-to-back kills, and McAda added a service ace as Southern Miss built an 8–3 lead. Wells and Emily Davis continued to score in transition, and Stewart added a timely kill to help Southern Miss maintain its edge. The frame tightened late, but the Golden Eagles held their composure as Wells powered down another delivery from Zovko before Davis sealed the set, giving Southern Miss a 25–22 victory to tie the match.

Southern Miss carried that momentum into the third set with McAda striking early and Judd adding a clean kill from Zovko. The offense stayed balanced as Wells continued to finish plays at the pin and Stewart connected on a pair of strong swings. A well-timed service ace from Annika Castellanos allowed the Golden Eagles to inch ahead, and Wells later put down a key point to steady the rhythm. As the set approached its final stretch, Judd and Wells each added kills and McAda capped the frame with a decisive kill to secure the 25-20 win and give the Golden Eagles a 2-1 match lead.

The fourth set opened with Judd attacking early from Zovko, followed by back-to-back kills from Davis that pushed Southern Miss into a rhythm. Durgens sparked a run at the service line with an ace and assisted Davis and Wells on consecutive points to extend the lead. Stewart delivered a strong kill to keep the Golden Eagles in front, and moments later, Davis added another finish from Durgens. A mid-set block from Davis and Stewart helped steady the momentum before Wells powered down a cross-court swing to tie the set at 15. Stewart added another kill late, and Lindsey Smith entered to deliver a timely service ace that lifted the Eagles ahead. With the frame on the line, Southern Miss executed cleanly—Wells crushed a late kill from Zovko, and Zovko closed the door herself with the final point, securing the 25–23 set win and the 3–1 match victory.

Diana Wells led the Golden Eagles with 20 kills on a .457 hitting percentage, powering the offense all night. Gaby Zovko surpassed the 1,000-assist milestone and finished with 26 assists, while Sunni Sheppard added 26 assists as well. Defensively, Maggie Sewell dominated the net with 7 total blocks. The Golden Eagles will return to action for their final home match against Marshall in the Wellness Center for Senior Night, in which the team celebrates Brynn Botkin and her accomplishments.

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