Friday, August 29
DeLand, Fla. / Insight Credit Union Arena at Edmunds Center
1:30 p.m. CT / 2:30 p.m. ET
Southern Miss
1-0,0-0Sun Belt
3
vs
0
Lamar
0-2,0-0Southland
1
2
3
F
Southern Miss.
27
25
25
3
Lamar University
25
23
16
0
Volleyball Secures Sweep of Lamar in Season Debut
8/29/2025 3:46:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
DELAND, Fla. – Southern Miss volleyball (1-0, 0-0 SBC) started its 2025 campaign on a high note, sweeping Lamar 3-0 (27-25, 25-23, 25-16) Friday afternoon at the Stetson Hatters Invitational in DeLand, Fla.
The Golden Eagles overcame a hard-fought opening set that featured six ties and four lead changes. Down 23-22, Southern Miss pulled even on an Emily Davis kill before Brynn Botkin delivered a key ace to swing momentum. Sadie McAda closed the set with her fourth kill, lifting the Golden Eagles to a 27-25 win.
The second set mirrored the first with six ties. McAda and Botkin combined for kills to keep Southern Miss steady, while Davis earned an ace to extend the lead. With the set tied 22-22, Southern Miss responded with back-to-back kills from McAda and Davis to clinch the frame, 25-23.
The Golden Eagles took control early in the third, stringing together a 7-2 run fueled by Botkin's serving and front-row blocks from Elly Stewart and Gaby Zovko. Libero Sunni Sheppard added a service ace as Southern Miss' defense held the Cardinals. The Golden Eagles maintained their cushion before sealing the match on a Lamar service error to take the final set, 25-16.
McAda recorded her first double-double of the season with 12 kills and 15 digs to lead the Golden Eagles. Setter Morgen Durgens directed the offense with 19 assists, Sheppard led the back row with 22 digs, and Zovko earned two blocks. Botkin added eight kills, 12 digs and two aces to round out a balanced performance. The win moves Southern Miss to 1-0 to start the season. The Golden Eagles return to the court Saturday to face Northern Illinois at 11:30 a.m. CT., following a match against Stetson at 3 p.m. CT.
To keep up with the Golden Eagles, follow our Instagram (@southernmissvball), X (@southernmissvb), and Facebook (Southern Miss Volleyball).
The Golden Eagles overcame a hard-fought opening set that featured six ties and four lead changes. Down 23-22, Southern Miss pulled even on an Emily Davis kill before Brynn Botkin delivered a key ace to swing momentum. Sadie McAda closed the set with her fourth kill, lifting the Golden Eagles to a 27-25 win.
The second set mirrored the first with six ties. McAda and Botkin combined for kills to keep Southern Miss steady, while Davis earned an ace to extend the lead. With the set tied 22-22, Southern Miss responded with back-to-back kills from McAda and Davis to clinch the frame, 25-23.
The Golden Eagles took control early in the third, stringing together a 7-2 run fueled by Botkin's serving and front-row blocks from Elly Stewart and Gaby Zovko. Libero Sunni Sheppard added a service ace as Southern Miss' defense held the Cardinals. The Golden Eagles maintained their cushion before sealing the match on a Lamar service error to take the final set, 25-16.
McAda recorded her first double-double of the season with 12 kills and 15 digs to lead the Golden Eagles. Setter Morgen Durgens directed the offense with 19 assists, Sheppard led the back row with 22 digs, and Zovko earned two blocks. Botkin added eight kills, 12 digs and two aces to round out a balanced performance. The win moves Southern Miss to 1-0 to start the season. The Golden Eagles return to the court Saturday to face Northern Illinois at 11:30 a.m. CT., following a match against Stetson at 3 p.m. CT.
To keep up with the Golden Eagles, follow our Instagram (@southernmissvball), X (@southernmissvb), and Facebook (Southern Miss Volleyball).
Team Stats
USM
Lamar
Kills
40
40
Errors
13
17
Attempts
125
137
Hitting %
.216
.168
Points
52.0
46.0
Assists
39
39
Aces
7
3
Blocks
5
3
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
12
Aces
1
Blocks
0
Kills
8
Aces
2
Blocks
1
Kills
6
Aces
1
Blocks
2
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
L
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's Volleyball
S
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