University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss
14-5,5-3Sun Belt
ULM
7-15,1-7Sun Belt
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Miss. | 23 | 25 | 25 | 25 | 3 |
| ULM | 25 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 1 |
Southern Miss Rallies Past ULM in Four-Set Victory
10/16/2026 10:27:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
MONROE, La. – Southern Miss (14-5, 5-3 SBC) rallied Friday evening as they won three straight sets to defeat ULM (7-15, 1-7 SBC), 3-1 (23-25, 25-20, 25-18, 25-17), at the ULM Activity Center to close out their second conference series sweep of the season.
The Golden Eagles bounced back in a big way after dropping the first set in which they led for most of the frame. Southern Miss finished the match with 53 kills and a .219 hitting percentage compared to ULM who totaled 42 and hit .100. A stingy Golden Eagle defense gave the Warhawks attackers all kinds of trouble at the net and on the backend putting together a nine block and 76 dig effort.
Sadie McAda put on a show as she led Southern Miss with 22 kills and added 13 digs finishing with her 6thstraight double-double and adding to her season total of 14. McAda was one of four Golden Eagles to reach the double-digit dig mark along with Sunni Sheppard, Kaylee Lowther, and Allie Hazelwood. Lowther's 16 digs set a new season-best for the third-year defensive specialist and Hazelwood's 15 digs helped her earn her 6thdouble-double of the season as she put together her fourth straight 40+ assist performance. Additional offense was provided by Diana Wells' 10 kills, Lillie Johnson who finished with nine, and Elly Stewart who added eight. Southern Miss also totaled double-digit service aces for the fifth time this season as they closed the nigh with 10, including two each from Lowther, Sheppard, and Stewart.
How It Happened
McAda made an early impact in the opening set, recording four kills and a block assist during Southern Miss' first seven points. ULM answered with a 5-0 run, but the Golden Eagles regained control and moved ahead 17-12 with help from McAda, Johnson, Wells, and a Lowther ace. A Morgen Durgens ace and Stewart kill extended the lead to 21-15. ULM fought back to tie the set at 23, then took the lead after a Southern Miss challenge was unsuccessful. A Warhawk block ended the set, 25-23.
The teams were tied 7-7 in the second before Aubrey Judd tooled the block for a kill to start a Southern Miss push. Aces from Lindsey Smith and Lowther helped the Golden Eagles build a 15-9 advantage. ULM trimmed the margin to one at 20-19, but Southern Miss closed with four kills—including two from Stewart and one each from McAda and Johnson—plus a Warhawk service error to win 25-20.
ULM held an early 9-7 lead in the third set before McAda helped turn the momentum. Southern Miss moved in front 14-11, then Sheppard served back-to-back aces after the media timeout. Wells added a kill during the run, and the Golden Eagles stretched their lead to 23-15. McAda finished the set with a kill for a 25-18 win.
Southern Miss surged ahead 9-2 to open the fourth set, with Stewart delivering two aces and Johnson adding a pair of kills. ULM closed the gap, but McAda's kills, a Johnson solo stuff, and a Hazelwood ace helped push the lead to 20-13. Wells recorded three kills down the stretch as the Golden Eagles closed the set 25-17 and secured the match.
Up Next
The Golden Eagles will return for Homecoming week at the Southern Miss Wellness Center where they will welcome the Red Wolves of Arkansas State for a two-match series starting on Thursday Oct. 22 at 6 p.m. CT.
To keep up with the Golden Eagles, follow our Instagram (@southernmissvball), X (@southernmissvb), and Facebook (Southern Miss Volleyball).
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