University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss
11-3,2-1Sun Belt
Troy
7-5,2-1Sun Belt
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Troy | 25 | 25 | 28 | 27 | 3 |
| Southern Miss. | 20 | 22 | 30 | 25 | 1 |
Golden Eagles Battle Back Late, Fall to Troy in Four Sets
10/2/2026 9:30:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Southern Miss (11-3, 2-1 SBC) battled Troy (7-5, 2-1 SBC) through four competitive sets Friday night at the Wellness Center, but the Golden Eagles came up short in a 3-1 (25-20, 25-22, 28-30, 27-25) setback.
Southern Miss recorded 49 kills and a season high 14 team blocks while adding 10 service aces, marking the fourth time this season the Golden Eagles have reached double figures in aces. Troy finished with 54 kills and 13 blocks. The Golden Eagles also held an 81-67 advantage in digs.
Sadie McAda led the Golden Eagles offensively with 19 kills and added 16 digs for her ninth double-double of the season. Allie Hazelwood contributed 39 assists and 12 digs for her second consecutive double-double and fourth of the season. Sunni Sheppard paced Southern Miss defensively with 17 digs, while Maggie Sewell provided a spark at the net, finishing with a career-high eight blocks, including two solo stops. Elly Stewart added nine kills while hitting .350.
How it Happened
Troy took control early in the opening set, building a 6-1 advantage before Southern Miss worked its way back within one at 6-5. The Trojans regained separation midway through the frame and eventually pushed their lead to 21-16. McAda and Stewart each recorded kills down the stretch, but Troy closed the opening set, 25-20.
The second set remained close early, with the teams tied at 6-6 before Southern Miss moved ahead 11-8 following a McAda kill and a pair of Troy errors. The Trojans answered with a 5-0 run to take a 15-13 lead, and the Golden Eagles later pulled even at 16-16. Southern Miss briefly regained the advantage at 17-16, but Troy responded to take a 21-19 lead. The Golden Eagles stayed within striking distance before Troy finished the set, 25-22, to take a 2-0 match lead.
Southern Miss responded with its strongest set of the night. Troy jumped out to a 4-0 lead, but the Golden Eagles steadily chipped away at the deficit. With Troy leading 18-16, Sewell helped ignite the comeback with a pair of blocks as Southern Miss scored four straight points to move in front, 20-18. McAda then delivered a kill and Hazelwood followed with an ace as the Golden Eagles extended their lead to 21-18. Troy rallied late, eventually tying the set at 22-22. Southern Miss reached set point at 24-23 following a Stewart kill, but Troy answered to force extra points. The teams traded points throughout the extended finish, with McAda and Judd providing key kills. After Troy took a 27-26 lead, McAda answered with another kill to even the score. The Trojans moved ahead 28-27, but McAda responded once again to make it 28-28. Southern Miss reached set point once again at 29-28, and the Golden Eagles sealed the 30-28 win when Troy's Isa Ruether was stopped by a block from Judd and Sewell.
The fourth set featured another late Southern Miss rally. Troy built a 16-10 advantage before Sheppard sparked the Golden Eagles from the service line. Sheppard recorded three consecutive aces during a 4-0 run that brought Southern Miss within 18-16 and energized the Wellness Center crowd. The Trojans answered to maintain a narrow lead, but Southern Miss continued to battle. McAda recorded consecutive kills as the Golden Eagles pulled even at 21-21, and a block from Judd and Sewell gave Southern Miss a 22-22 tie. The teams remained deadlocked through the final points. McAda's kill tied the set at 23-23 before Troy reached set point at 24-23. Sheppard answered with a kill to force another tie, and Judd followed with a kill to put Southern Miss ahead 25-24. Troy responded with two straight points, however, and eventually closed the match with a 27-25 fourth-set victory.
Up next
Southern Miss and Troy will meet again Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Wellness Center to conclude the weekend series.
To keep up with the Golden Eagles, follow our Instagram (@southernmissvball), X (@southernmissvb), and Facebook (Southern Miss Volleyball).
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