Volleyball Falls Short in Five-Set Thriller to Troy

Saturday, November 8

Troy, Ala. / Trojan Arena

2 p.m.

Southern Miss

14-11,6-8Sun Belt

Troy

8-14,6-8Sun Belt

Southern Miss.

Troy

Volleyball Falls Short in Five-Set Thriller to Troy

11/8/2025 6:23:00 PM | Women's Volleyball

Box Score

TROY, Ala. - Volleyball battled through five sets but came up short against Troy on Saturday afternoon inside Trojan Arena, falling 3-2 with scores of 25-20, 29-31, 25-23, 17-25 and 5-15.

The Golden Eagles came out strong, taking control early behind aggressive serving from Morgen Durgens and steady attacks from Sadie McAda and Brynn Botkin. Sunni Sheppard anchored the back row with key digs that kept long rallies alive, while Elly Stewart made an impact at the net with multiple blocks. Southern Miss held off a late Troy push, closing out the set 25-20 to take the early lead.

The second frame turned into a back-and-forth battle, featuring more than a dozen ties as both teams traded momentum. McAda and Botkin continued to pace the offense while Durgens distributed the ball evenly across the lineup. Despite a late push from Southern Miss, Troy edged out the set 31-29 in extra points to even the match.

Southern Miss responded in the third, using strong defense and swings to regain control. Sheppard's consistency in the back row fueled the transition game, and McAda and Lillie Johnson delivered timely kills to extend the lead. Stewart added a late block to cap off a 25-23 win, putting the Golden Eagles back in front 2-1.

Troy regained momentum in the fourth, taking an early lead and maintaining it throughout the frame. The Golden Eagles continued to fight, highlighted by defensive plays from Sheppard and kills from Johnson and Stewart, but the Trojans' offense proved too steady as Southern Miss dropped the set 25-17 to force a decisive fifth.

The final frame opened with Troy on a 5-1 run that set the tone for the rest of the set. Southern Miss kept pushing, with McAda and Botkin landing key kills, but the Trojans' efficiency closed it out 15-5 to take the match.

McAda led the Golden Eagles with 18 kills, while Sheppard turned in 39 digs. Durgens finished with 47 assists, and Stewart led the blocking effort with four total blocks.

Southern Miss is now 14-11 overall and 6-8 in Sun Belt play. Troy moves to 8-14 overall and 6-8 in the conference.

The Golden Eagles return home to host Marshall on Nov. 13 and 14 inside the Wellness Center.

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