University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Friday, August 29
DeLand, Fla. / Insight Credit Union Arena at Edmunds Center
1:30 p.m. CT / 2:30 p.m. ET
Southern Miss
vs
Lamar
Volleyball Opens 2025 Season at Stetson Hatters Invitational
8/28/2025 6:36:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
DELAND, Fla. – Southern Miss volleyball begins its 2025 season this weekend at the Stetson Hatters Invitational in DeLand, Fla. The Golden Eagles face Lamar at 1:30 p.m. CT on Friday before taking on Northern Illinois at 11:30 a.m. CT and host Stetson at 3 p.m. CT on Saturday.
Southern Miss returns key leaders, including libero Sunni Sheppard and outside hitter Sadie McAda. Sheppard established herself as one of the Sun Belt's top defensive players last season, leading the Golden Eagles with 569 digs and ranking second in the conference with 5.13 digs per set. She also added 85 assists and 36 service aces, anchoring the back row throughout the season. Her efforts earned her Sun Belt Preseason Libero of the Year honors heading into this fall.
McAda returns as a primary offensive weapon for Southern Miss. She tallied 56 kills in one of her best weekends last season while consistently producing as a scoring threat. Her leadership and versatility will continue to be a factor for the Golden Eagles.
Senior Brynn Botkin, the lone senior on the roster, is also expected to make an impact both on and off the court. Botkin emerged as one of the team's steady contributors last season and will step into a larger leadership role in her final year.
The returning group is joined by Aubrey Judd, Kaylee Lowther, Maggie Sewell, Emily Davis, Lindsey Smith, Lillie Johnson and Ella Ward.
Newcomers include setter Gaby Zovko, a transfer from Sacred Heart University who brings a decorated résumé after earning All-MAAC first team honors, multiple MAAC All-Academic Team selections, CSC Academic All-District recognition and being named MAAC Setter of the Week five times.
Zovko is one of two setters for the Golden Eagles, joined by Morgen Durgens, a UTSA transfer who spent one season with the Roadrunners. Other new additions include Kiera O'Donnell, Sophie Sosa, Tarah Yunes, Gabriela Martensson, Elly Stewart, Diana Wells and Miranda Holincheck.
Due to ongoing facility upgrades at Insight Credit Union Arena, fans should park in the Rinker Field lot or the gravel lot at the Wilson Athletic Center. Entry will be through the main lobby. While traditional concessions will not be available, vending machines will be provided.
Live stats can be found at https://gohatters.com/sidearmstats/wvball/summary during each match time.
To keep up with the Golden Eagles, follow our Instagram (@southernmissvball), X (@southernmissvb), and Facebook (Southern Miss Volleyball).
Southern Miss returns key leaders, including libero Sunni Sheppard and outside hitter Sadie McAda. Sheppard established herself as one of the Sun Belt's top defensive players last season, leading the Golden Eagles with 569 digs and ranking second in the conference with 5.13 digs per set. She also added 85 assists and 36 service aces, anchoring the back row throughout the season. Her efforts earned her Sun Belt Preseason Libero of the Year honors heading into this fall.
McAda returns as a primary offensive weapon for Southern Miss. She tallied 56 kills in one of her best weekends last season while consistently producing as a scoring threat. Her leadership and versatility will continue to be a factor for the Golden Eagles.
Senior Brynn Botkin, the lone senior on the roster, is also expected to make an impact both on and off the court. Botkin emerged as one of the team's steady contributors last season and will step into a larger leadership role in her final year.
The returning group is joined by Aubrey Judd, Kaylee Lowther, Maggie Sewell, Emily Davis, Lindsey Smith, Lillie Johnson and Ella Ward.
Newcomers include setter Gaby Zovko, a transfer from Sacred Heart University who brings a decorated résumé after earning All-MAAC first team honors, multiple MAAC All-Academic Team selections, CSC Academic All-District recognition and being named MAAC Setter of the Week five times.
Zovko is one of two setters for the Golden Eagles, joined by Morgen Durgens, a UTSA transfer who spent one season with the Roadrunners. Other new additions include Kiera O'Donnell, Sophie Sosa, Tarah Yunes, Gabriela Martensson, Elly Stewart, Diana Wells and Miranda Holincheck.
Due to ongoing facility upgrades at Insight Credit Union Arena, fans should park in the Rinker Field lot or the gravel lot at the Wilson Athletic Center. Entry will be through the main lobby. While traditional concessions will not be available, vending machines will be provided.
Live stats can be found at https://gohatters.com/sidearmstats/wvball/summary during each match time.
To keep up with the Golden Eagles, follow our Instagram (@southernmissvball), X (@southernmissvb), and Facebook (Southern Miss Volleyball).
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Volleyball
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