Volleyball Falls in Five-Set Battle at Troy

Friday, November 7

Troy, Ala. / Trojan Arena

6 p.m.

Southern Miss

14-10,6-7Sun Belt

Troy

7-14,5-8Sun Belt

Southern Miss.

Troy

Volleyball Falls in Five-Set Battle at Troy

11/7/2025 10:40:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

TROY, Ala. - Southern Miss battled through five sets on the road but fell to Troy (23–25, 25–16, 22–25, 25–20, 15–9) on Friday night inside Trojan Arena. With the result, Southern Miss moves to 14–10 overall and 6–7 in Sun Belt play, while Troy advances to 7–14 overall and 5–8 in the conference.

Southern Miss opened the match strong, overcoming an early deficit to claim the first set, 25–23. Kills from Brynn Botkin and Elly Stewart helped the Golden Eagles rally midway through, while a block by Sadie McAda and Lillie Johnson gave them the edge late. Johnson sealed the frame with a kill assisted by Gaby Zovko to put Southern Miss ahead 1–0.

Troy responded in the second set with a 25–16 win, using an early run to take control and hold Southern Miss to a .125 hitting percentage. Despite steady play from Stewart and Emily Davis, the Trojans' offense found rhythm to even the match at one set apiece.

The Golden Eagles regained momentum in the third, trading points early before pulling away late for a 25–22 victory. Botkin and Johnson each delivered key kills down the stretch, while libero Sunni Sheppard anchored the defense with several crucial digs to push Southern Miss ahead 2–1.

Troy battled back in the fourth, hitting .263 to secure a 25–20 win and force a deciding fifth set. The Trojans carried that momentum into the final frame, opening on a 7–3 run and holding off a Southern Miss push to close out the match, 15–9.

Botkin led Southern Miss with 13 kills, while Sheppard paced the defense with 24 digs. Stewart anchored the front line with a team-high six blocks, and Zovko directed the offense with 19 assists.

The Golden Eagles will close the weekend series against Troy on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 2 p.m. inside Trojan Arena.

To keep up with the Golden Eagles, follow their Instagram (@southernmissvball), X (@southernmissvb) and Facebook (Southern Miss Volleyball).