Saturday, August 30
DeLand, Fla. / Insight Credit Union Arena at Edmunds Center
11:30 a.m. CT / 12:30 p.m. ET
Southern Miss
1-1,0-0Sun Belt
1
vs
3
Northern Illinois
2-1,0-0MAC
1
2
3
4
F
Southern Miss.
25
20
28
23
1
NIU
23
25
30
25
3
Volleyball Splits Matches on Final Day of Hatters Invitational
8/30/2025 6:06:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
DeLAND, Fla. – Southern Miss volleyball (2-1) split its two matches on the final day of the Stetson Hatters Invitational. The Golden Eagles fell to Northern Illinois (2-1) in their morning matchup but rallied to earn a three-set sweep against Stetson (1-2) to close out weekend play.
In the opening match, the Golden Eagles fell to Northern Illinois by scores of 23-25, 25-20, 30-28, 25-23. Southern Miss opened strong by taking the first set behind steady hitting and timely defensive plays. Brynn Botkin and Sadie McAda provided key kills down the stretch to seal the opener, 25-23. NIU responded in the second set, hitting .280 with 18 kills while limiting Southern Miss to .136 at the net. The Huskies used a late 5-0 run to even the match at a set apiece. The third set turned into a marathon, featuring 19 ties and 10 lead changes. Southern Miss held multiple set points, but NIU capitalized with back-to-back kills to escape, 30-28. The Huskies carried the momentum into the fourth, edging out another close set, 25-23, to clinch the match. McAda and Botkin contributed 15 kills each, showcasing their ability to score on the outside. Setter Morgen Durgens tallied 25 assists to go along with 10 digs, posting her first double-double as a Golden Eagle. Defensively, libero Sunni Sheppard and McAda each earned 20 digs to lead the charge in the back row.
The Golden Eagles never trailed in the opening set of the nightcap, using balanced offense and a 5-0 run midway through the set to pull away from the Hatters. McAda delivered six kills in the set, including the clincher to secure a 25-20 win.
Stetson responded early in the second, but Southern Miss broke a 14-14 tie with four straight points to seize control. McAda and Botkin each notched key kills down the stretch, and the Eagles again finished strong, 25-20.
Southern Miss carried the momentum into the third set, building a quick 10-5 advantage and never looking back. The Eagles closed on a 6-2 run capped by a Botkin kill to complete the sweep, 25-18.
Southern Miss heads west to Houston next weekend to compete in the Molly Howard-Gerig Memorial Tournament, hosted by Houston Christian on Sept. 5-6.
To keep up with the Golden Eagles, follow our Instagram (@southernmissvball), X (@southernmissvb), and Facebook (Southern Miss Volleyball).
In the opening match, the Golden Eagles fell to Northern Illinois by scores of 23-25, 25-20, 30-28, 25-23. Southern Miss opened strong by taking the first set behind steady hitting and timely defensive plays. Brynn Botkin and Sadie McAda provided key kills down the stretch to seal the opener, 25-23. NIU responded in the second set, hitting .280 with 18 kills while limiting Southern Miss to .136 at the net. The Huskies used a late 5-0 run to even the match at a set apiece. The third set turned into a marathon, featuring 19 ties and 10 lead changes. Southern Miss held multiple set points, but NIU capitalized with back-to-back kills to escape, 30-28. The Huskies carried the momentum into the fourth, edging out another close set, 25-23, to clinch the match. McAda and Botkin contributed 15 kills each, showcasing their ability to score on the outside. Setter Morgen Durgens tallied 25 assists to go along with 10 digs, posting her first double-double as a Golden Eagle. Defensively, libero Sunni Sheppard and McAda each earned 20 digs to lead the charge in the back row.
The Golden Eagles never trailed in the opening set of the nightcap, using balanced offense and a 5-0 run midway through the set to pull away from the Hatters. McAda delivered six kills in the set, including the clincher to secure a 25-20 win.
Stetson responded early in the second, but Southern Miss broke a 14-14 tie with four straight points to seize control. McAda and Botkin each notched key kills down the stretch, and the Eagles again finished strong, 25-20.
Southern Miss carried the momentum into the third set, building a quick 10-5 advantage and never looking back. The Eagles closed on a 6-2 run capped by a Botkin kill to complete the sweep, 25-18.
Southern Miss heads west to Houston next weekend to compete in the Molly Howard-Gerig Memorial Tournament, hosted by Houston Christian on Sept. 5-6.
To keep up with the Golden Eagles, follow our Instagram (@southernmissvball), X (@southernmissvb), and Facebook (Southern Miss Volleyball).
Team Stats
USM
NIU
Kills
50
65
Errors
25
35
Attempts
185
201
Hitting %
.135
.149
Points
64.0
79.0
Assists
46
59
Aces
3
5
Blocks
11
9
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
15
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
15
Aces
0
Blocks
2
Kills
6
Aces
0
Blocks
3
Kills
5
Aces
0
Blocks
4
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
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