Saturday, September 20
Southern Miss Wellness Center
Noon
Southern Miss
7-3,0-0Sun Belt
3
vs
0
Northwestern State
1-12,0-0Southland
1
2
3
F
Northwestern St.
19
22
12
0
Southern Miss.
25
25
25
3
Volleyball Finishes Undefeated in Golden Eagle Classic
9/20/2025 8:19:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern Miss improved to 8-3 with two three-set sweeps against Northwestern State and Jackson State Saturday in the Wellness Center. The Golden Eagles hit .304 as a team with 78 kills, 18 service aces and 92 digs across both matches, while holding their opponents to a combined .122 hitting percentage with 54 kills and 66 digs.
In the first match against Northwestern State, Southern Miss used a balanced attack and strong serving to secure a sweep. The opening set saw the Golden Eagles fire off 13 kills and five service aces. Lillie Johnson dropped in back-to-back aces early, and a late surge that included kills from Aubrey Judd and Diana Wells propelled Southern Miss to a 25-19 win.
Set two was the most competitive, featuring 11 ties and five lead changes. Northwestern State built a 17-14 advantage before Sadie McAda and Brynn Botkin sparked a Golden Eagle response. Johnson added another ace late, and Judd sealed the 25-22 win with a kill to put Southern Miss ahead 2-0.
The Golden Eagles dominated the third set, capitalizing on seven Northwestern State errors and closing with a 6-1 run. Morgen Durgens provided a service ace and a pair of assists during the stretch, while McAda and Judd combined for four kills in the frame as Southern Miss clinched the sweep with a 25-12 victory.
McAda led all players with 14 kills and added 11 digs for a double-double. Judd was efficient with nine kills on a .583 hitting percentage, while Johnson contributed five kills, four aces and two blocks for 11 points. Botkin served three aces and tallied eight digs, and libero Sunni Sheppard anchored the defense with a match-high 11 digs. Setter Gaby Zovko directed the offense with 26 assists and five digs. Southern Miss out-hit Northwestern State .313 to .137, out-dug them 47-31 and held a 9-6 edge in aces.
In the second match of the day against Jackson State, Southern Miss controlled the match from start to finish to earn its second sweep. The first set featured a 6-1 run that gave the Golden Eagles breathing room early, highlighted by kills from McAda and Wells. Southern Miss finished the frame with 14 kills and just three errors, closing on a 5-2 stretch to secure the 25-18 win.
Set two was the tightest of the match, with seven ties and four lead changes. The Golden Eagles trailed 22-21 late before back-to-back kills from McAda and Durgens flipped momentum. Botkin delivered the final swing to give Southern Miss the 25-23 victory.
The Golden Eagles wasted no time in the third set, jumping out to a 10-4 lead behind consecutive kills from McAda and a service ace from Zovko. Wells added four kills in the frame, and Sheppard steadied the defense with seven digs as Southern Miss closed with a 7-2 run to finish the sweep, 25-16.
McAda once again paced the offense with 13 kills and added eight digs. Wells followed with nine kills and three blocks, while Botkin recorded seven kills and two aces. Sheppard led all players with 14 digs, and Zovko tallied 29 assists, seven digs and two aces to guide the offense. Southern Miss held Jackson State to a .105 hitting percentage while finishing with 39 kills and 45 digs, compared to JSU's 27 kills and 35 digs.
The Golden Eagles begin Sun Belt Conference play next week in two matchups against Louisiana-Monroe on Thursday, Sept. 25, and Friday, Sept. 26, in the Wellness Center. Both matches will be at 6 p.m.
To keep up with the Golden Eagles, follow their Instagram (@southernmissvball), X (@southernmissvb) and Facebook (Southern Miss Volleyball).
Team Stats
NW
USM
Kills
28
44
Errors
15
14
Attempts
95
96
Hitting %
.137
.313
Points
40.0
56.0
Assists
25
41
Aces
6
9
Blocks
6
3
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
14
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
9
Aces
0
Blocks
1
Kills
7
Aces
0
Blocks
0
Kills
5
Aces
4
Blocks
2
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's VolleyballMB
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
L
/ Women's VolleyballOH
/ Women's Volleyball
S
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